Les Spann

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

Life and work

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There is an LP under his own name for the label Jazzland; the Atlantic Records recordings from 1965, however, remained unpublished.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

Discography (selection)

  • Les Spann Gemini ( Jazzland JLP 35, 1960)
  • Nat Adderley: That's Right ( Riverside RLP 12-330 - published as CD)
  • Benny Bailey Big Brass ( Candid 9011 - also known as CD published )
  • Eddie Lockjaw Davis Lock, The Fox (RCA LPM 3652 - published as CD)
  • Duke Ellington / Johnny Hodges: Side by Side ( Verve MG V 8317 - on CD and as Speakers Corner LP published )
  • Dizzy Gillespie: Have Trumpet, will Excite ( Verve MG V- 8313 )
Phineas Newborn, Jr. Calvin Newborn Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis Curtis Fuller Integrated Authority File
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