"Lester Leaps In" is a jazz standard originally recorded by Count Basie's Kansas City Seven in 1939.Brian Rust, Jazz and Ragtime Records, 1897-1942 , Mainspring Press, 2008. The composition, credited to the group's tenor saxophone player Lester Young, is a contrafact based on the chord progression of "I Got Rhythm", and serves as a vehicle for interweaving solos by Young and Basie.
Eddie Jefferson, pioneer of vocalese, wrote lyrics for the composition, calling his version "I Got the Blues"."Lester Leaps In (1940)", JazzStandards.com.
Critical acclaim "Lester Leaps In" is listed among the Milestone Recordings in American Music at the Three Perfect Minutes site."Lester Leaps In (1939)", at Three Perfect Minutes, retrieved 2013-10-23. jazz.com gives "Lester Leaps In" a 98, on a scale of 100 – "Classic performance. A 'must have' for jazz fans."Lester Leaps In (1939) , at jazz.com , retrieved 2013-10-23.
Personnel (original 1939 recording) Count Basie - piano Lester Young - tenor saxophone Buck Clayton - trumpet Dicky Wells - trombone Freddie Green - guitar Walter Page - bass Jo Jones - drums
Other recordings In 1958 Gil Evans recorded it with his orchestra for his New Bottle Old Wine album.
In 1960 Harry James released a version on his album Harry James...Today (MGM E-3848).
Charlie Watts Orchestra included it in their 1986 'Live at Fulham Town Hall' album.
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