Les instep

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Les Spann , Leslie L. Spann Jr. , (Born May 23, 1932 in Pine Bluff , Arkansas , USA ; † January 24, 1989 ) was an American jazz musician (guitar, flute).

life and work

Les Spann studied music education and flute at Tennessee State University in Nashville from 1950 to 1957 . In 1957 he went to New York and played with Phineas Newborn where he took the place of his brother Calvin , with whom he was friends. In 1958/59 he worked with Dizzy Gillespie and in 1959/60 in the Quincy Jones Big Band , with which he also performed in Germany. He came to Germany with both formations in the 1960s. He also played with Red Garland during this time , appeared in Charles Mingus ' Town Hall concert in 1962 and took part in recordings of Duke Pearson in 1965, Sonny Stitt and Eddie Lockjaw Davis in 1966. There is an LP under his name for the Jazzland label; the Atlantic Records recordings from 1965, however, remained unreleased. Together with Ben Webster , Duke Ellington , with Johnny Hodges (1967) and with Benny Bailey , he made several recordings in which he can also be heard as a soloist. Otherwise he was a typical session musician who provided the rhythmic background for small and large formations.

Discography (selection)

  • Les Spann: Gemini (Jazzland JLP 35, 1960)
  • Nat Adderley : That's Right (Riverside RLP 12-330 - also released on CD)
  • Benny Bailey: Big Brass (Candid 9011 - also available on CD)
  • Eddie Lockjaw Davis : Lock, The Fox (RCA LPM 3652 - also released on CD)
  • Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges: Side by Side (Verve MG V 8317 - released as CD and Speakers Corner LP)
  • Curtis Fuller : The Magnificent Trombone (EPIC LA 16013)
  • Dizzy Gillespie: Have Trumpet, Want Excite (Verve MG V-8313)

literature

  • Maurice Summerfield: The Jazz Guitar - Its evolution and its players (English). Ashley Mark Publishing 1978. ISBN 0-9506224-1-9

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Instep, Les
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Spann, Leslie L. Junior
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American jazz musician (guitarist, flautist and band leader)
DATE OF BIRTH May 23, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH Pine Bluff , Arkansas , USA
DATE OF DEATH January 24, 1989