Wulfie’s Wax Museum: “Nat King Cole Meets Lester Young”

Join Michael Wulfsohn Monday night, March 18 at 8pm for “Wulfie’s Wax Museum,” on the Monday Night Beat, as we celebrate the centennial of the birth of the great Nat “King” Cole, born March 17, 1919, and listen to a recording made July 15, 1942, entitled ”Nat ‘King’ Cole Meets Lester Young.” This truly historic jazz session date was originally recorded on 78s by Philo/Aladdin Records, and finally re-released 21 years later in 1963 as an LP on Crown Records, a budget subsidiary of Modern Records. Although this “budget” album leaves something to be desired in its sound quality, it is nevertheless, a rare glimpse of Nat Cole as a sideman for two tunes in this session, “(Back Home In) Indiana,” and “I Can’t Get Started.” Most pressings were in mono only, but this original Crown pressing is in stereo.

This recording date was actually bassist Red Callendar’s Trio with guests, Lester “Prez” Young on tenor, and Nat “King” Cole on piano, with unknown personnel, but likely Harry “Sweets” Edison on trumpet, and on drums, either his brother Lee Young, or Basie’s drummer, Jo Jones.

Hear Lester and Nat at their finest, in a relaxed, swinging session. Don’t miss this wax! Tune in Monday at 8 pm for “Wulfie’s Wax Museum” on the Monday Night Beat, on KUVO Jazz.