Is this Lee Young, Lester's brother

[mmilovan]

Hello,

while watching some NKCole late 1950s TV shows, I've noticed "LY" initials at bass drum, and knowing Lee Young was with Nat - captured some frames from the show instantly.

So is it Lee Young, here, on these photos (click to enlarge):

Thanks!

Edited January 18, 2008 by mmilovan

[JSngry]

Yessir, I reckon it is.

[mmilovan]

Thanks,

he was very fine drummer, and he even played drums with Nelson Riddle studio orchestra (last pic)...

Edited January 18, 2008 by mmilovan

[mmilovan]

Few times it was ad hoc band, here I can recognize Barney Bigard, probably Henry Red Allen (???), Vic DIckenson (???), but bass player is mistery for me:

[JSngry]

I've read more than one report over the years that refers to him as "a joke" and stuff like that, and I've heard some live jams he's on where his time is just all over the place, but then you hear him with Nat, and he's cool. I can't imagine him having Nat's gig if he was as much of a loser as some portray him as.

I bet there's a story there...

[AllenLowe]

I believe he spent his last years employed by the musicians union - and died not that long ago -

[AllenLowe]

or, he might still be alive -

[ValerieB]

or, he might still be alive -

i think he is still with us.

[marcello]

That's not Vic.

Lee Young also worked for Motown in LA.

[marcello]

Could this be it?:

052

3-08

11/5/1957

Cornel Wilde, Peggy King, Michel Ray, Billy Preston, The Cheerleaders (2 men, 2 women), unidentified orchestra, dixieland combo with Teddy Buckner (trumpet), Barney Bigard (clarinet), George Washington (trombone), Gerry Wiggins (piano), Art Edwards (bass), Lee Young (drums)

Songs: "Who Cares" (Nat and Cheerleaders), "Fascination" (Nat), "Careless Love" (Nat and Combo), "When I Fall In Love" (Nat), "Billy's Boogie" (Billy on organ), "Blueberry Hill" (Nat and Billy on vocal/organ), Memory Song: "St. Louis Blues," "It's Just About That Time Again" (Nat)

Note: Nat uses some of the actual sets from his upcoming movie St. Louis Blues, in which he plays songwriter W. C. Handy. A future music star himself, 11-year-old Billy Preston, who in the film plays Handy as a boy, sings and plays the organ. Also on hand are movie stars Wilde, King, and Ray, plugging their own pictures. They each give Nat a cake and presents for his daughters Sweetie (Carol) and Cookie (Natalie). Nat announces that this is the first anniversary of his show and debuts his new closing theme, "It's Just About That Time Again."

Edited January 19, 2008 by marcello

[mmilovan]

I've read more than one report over the years that refers to him as "a joke" and stuff like that, and I've heard some live jams he's on where his time is just all over the place, but then you hear him with Nat, and he's cool. I can't imagine him having Nat's gig if he was as much of a loser as some portray him as.

I bet there's a story there...

And as addition to this, I can't imagine Nat would held him in his band if he wasn't pro.

There is a proof for that in few drum breaks and solo spots while with Cole.

[Chuck Nessa]

Few times it was ad hoc band, here I can recognize Barney Bigard, probably Henry Red Allen (???), Vic DIckenson (???), but bass player is mistery for me:

Not Red Allen either. Probably Teddy Buckner. Think West Coast for all these guys.

[jtaylor]

As others have correctly pointed out, that is indeed Lee.

Young played drums with Nat from 1953-1962 and also served as something of a musical director while the group was on the road. At times he would conduct from the drums, which, needlees to say, didn't help his drumming.

His association with Nat predates 1953. In the period before Nat began utilizing orchestras exclusively in his recordings, it was typically Young who stepped in and added drums to the trio. He also joined Nat for the first JATP concert.

The personnel given by Marcello is correct. On that particular episode of Cole's show they recreated the set of his then recently completed film, ST. LOUIS BLUES. Most of those guys also appeared in the film.

The picture with Lee and Nelson Riddle is also from Cole's show. Riddle conducted the show. Young did not do much, if any, recording with Riddle outside of his association with Cole. Riddle would usually employ Stoller or Cottler, not Young.

As far as I know he is still living, now in his 90s.

[Niko]

had posted this before, but just in case..., steven isoardi's extensive interview with Lee YOung is found here:

http://content.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/hb4w10...i&brand=oac

[Quasimado]

Q