Lester Leaps In: Live At Birdland 1951 - 1952

[nighthawk68]

There's a new release for Record Store day on Liberation Hall. Is this really unissued? From the blurb:

This never-before-released set captures one of the most influential tenor saxophonists of all time, live at NYC’s iconic jazz venue Birdland. It features eight tracks recorded on four different dates in 1951 and 1952 for ABC Radio’s infamous “Jumpin with Symphony Sid”program. Host Sid Torin introduces several of the tracks, one of which, “Neenah,” includes a shoutout to audience member Billie Holiday who originated the bebop legend's nickname “Prez” (for “President of the Tenor Sax”). The backing bands feature pianists John Lewis, Cyril Haynes, and Earl Knight; percussionists “Papa” Jo Jones and Lee Abrams; bassist Gene Ramey; and trumpeter Jesse Drakes. The album will be pressed on 180-gram vinyl and features rare photos with extensive liner notes from jazz historian Scott Yanow. 

Tracklist
Side A
1. Lester Leaps In 2. Ghost Of A Chance 3. Up And Atom 4. These Foolish Things 5. Neenah Side
Side B
1. Indiana 2. How High the Moon 3. ‘Deed I Do

[Big Beat Steve]

These tracks, the location and the line-ups read uncannily like what's been discussed "in extenso" here:

"Indiana" and "These Foolish Things" not mentioned in that thread did get recorded at Birdland during 1951 too (according to the "Lestorian Notes" discography). 
The "odd man out" is the presence of Cyril Haynes who according to that discography never got recorded with Lester Young. And according to the brief biographies of him I've  been able to ceck at a quick glance the Lester Young Birdland groups would not have been the most likely company he moved in. But who knows ...?

 

[Big Beat Steve]

 

Also pointed out here, FWIW:

In the "New Releases" section, though IMO it remains to be seen how much of it is actually "new". 

[John L]

On 10/5/2025 at 9:28 AM, Big Beat Steve said:

These tracks, the location and the line-ups read uncannily like what's been discussed "in extenso" here:

"Indiana" and "These Foolish Things" not mentioned in that thread did get recorded at Birdland during 1951 too (according to the "Lestorian Notes" discography). 
The "odd man out" is the presence of Cyril Haynes who according to that discography never got recorded with Lester Young. And according to the brief biographies of him I've  been able to ceck at a quick glance the Lester Young Birdland groups would not have been the most likely company he moved in. But who knows ...?

 

The Lord Discography has one session with Cyril Haynes

 

Lester Young Quartet : Lester Young (ts) Cyril Haynes (p) Gene Ramey (b) Jo Jones (d)

WNEW radio broadcast, "Birdland", New York, February 24, 1951

	Up `n' Adam	Ambrosia AMB-10, Jazz View (Eu)COD-029 [CD]
	These foolish things	Session Disc 104
	Neenah	Ambrosia AMB-10, Jazz View (Eu)COD-029 [CD]
	Lester leaps in	Session Disc 104, Giant Steps (E)GIST001 [CD]
		Ambrosia AMB-10, Jazz View (Eu)COD-029 [CD]

Edited 10 hours ago by John L

[bichos]

here are the dates:

http://www.liberationhall.com/index.php?id_product=391&controller=product

keep boppin´

marcel

[John L]

Thanks, Marcel.  As suspected, nothing new here.  

[Niko]

Thanks! Will stick to my Ambrosia LPs then...

[Big Beat Steve]

10 hours ago, John L said:

The Lord Discography has one session with Cyril Haynes

 

Lester Young Quartet : Lester Young (ts) Cyril Haynes (p) Gene Ramey (b) Jo Jones (d)

WNEW radio broadcast, "Birdland", New York, February 24, 1951

	Up `n' Adam	Ambrosia AMB-10, Jazz View (Eu)COD-029 [CD]
	These foolish things	Session Disc 104
	Neenah	Ambrosia AMB-10, Jazz View (Eu)COD-029 [CD]
	Lester leaps in	Session Disc 104, Giant Steps (E)GIST001 [CD]
		Ambrosia AMB-10, Jazz View (Eu)COD-029 [CD]

Thanks John!

"Lestorian Notes" lists the above session with most of the LP and Cd releases indicated by Lord but says the pianist is "unknown". So I take it that the Lord disco has the most up-to-date info. 

So in the end there is nothing that's "never before released". What puzzles me is whether Lester Young live dates really are considered such hot items today that the (incorrect) "unreleased" claim needs to me made to lure unsuspecting buyers into shelling out. Not that I'd imagine the Session Disc 104 or Ambrosia AMB-10, 20 and 30 LPs are that common among collectors. But they are out there, and at least from what I've observed over here, if this sort of "Boris Rose" vinyls come up they sell for almost next to nothing.