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38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Presidential Summit Meeting,
In the 1950s, producer Norman Granz brought many of the previous decade's biggest jazz stars into the studio in order to capture their immense talent, and hopefully revive some careers in the process. The names now read like a who's who of the jazz hall of fame -- Ben Webster, Coleman Hawkins, Lionel Hampton, Art Tatum (for a different label however), Teddy Wilson and Lester Young. "Pres" as he was also known, was famous for his smooth, singing tenor saxophone voice, and it has never been better showcased than on his collaboration with pianist Teddy Wilson. The quartet, which is rounded out by Gene Ramey on bass and Jo Jones on drums, glides through six standards, and one Young original (the CD bonus track "Pres Returns"). "Pres and Teddy" has to rank right up there with any and all Verve recordings from the 50s -- which is pretty impressive considering the competition is classic albums like "Ben Webster Meets Oscar Peterson," not to mention all those great Bird recordings. "Pres and Teddy" is truly a summit meeting of presidential powers.
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21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
[one of] THE BEST JAZZ SESSIONs..., November 21, 2004
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Lester Young never sounded better: the Pres stretches out here as smoothly and sweetly as ever.
Teddy Wilson is spot-on his usual excellent game.
The standards are wonderful; recording time & sound excellent.
Solo Piano: Keystone Transcriptions 1939-1940
Complete Recordings
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
What you say ? You don't know this record????, July 24, 2003
Amazing.Terrific.Outstanding.Great.Essential.ETC,etc.
This extraordinary 1956 record by Lester Young has to figure in everyone's discotheque.A real must.
Here is a quartet you can dream of: Lester,Teddy Wilson on piano,Gene Ramey on bass and the Master,the greatest jazz drummer of all times, Jo Jones.(don't confuse him with Philly Joe Jones).
1956.Pres is 47,and three years ,two months and a couple of days later,he died at 49.Pres is 46,but he is old,tired of living in a world he doesn't understand.Pres drinks too much,Pres takes too much dope,Pres is starting to commit a long suicide.BUt here,Pres swings like he did twenty years before;maybe he thinks of the Basie days;maybe he thinks of his fantastic works with the young Billie Holiday ("I'll never be the same","this years's kisses",...);here Pres is in top form,swinging like mad.The greatest tenor sax player of all times,and one of the five greatest jazz artists of all times gives here one of his most majestic record.Here is an immense moment of music.Pres' versions of "all of me","Louise","love me or leave me","taking a chance on love","love is here to stay" are essential moments in the art of playing ballads.The superlative support of Gene Ramey,Teddy Wilson (one of my favorite piano players;Art Tatum once said,"I wish I could play like Teddy Wilson"!!!)and Jo Jones,the most fantastic drummer of jazz,gives this recording session a kind of swing that is rarely heard.The sound of the recording is perfect,Jo Jones' brushes are,of course,the best ones ever heard,Teddy's choruses are perfect models for every jazz pianist,and Pres' choruses here rank among the most magnificent phrases ever blowed on saxophone.By the way,Pres (for President) was Lester Willis Young's nickname.
This is a record I use to listen to for some twenty years;and I can listen to it each and every day,it won't be boring to me."Pres returns" is one of the best blues ever played.Seems like that day of January,1956,Lester recovered the feeling and happiness he had during the Basie days,at the end of the thirties.Don't miss this record,please,I'm sure it'll become a favorite of yours.Lester's here!!!
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~ Ben Webster
~ Lester Young
~ Oscar Peterson
~ Lester Young
~ Coleman Hawkins
by The Lester Young and Teddy Wilson Quartet 
