Les Spann | |
|---|---|
| Born | Leslie Spann Jr. (1932-05-23)May 23, 1932 Pine Bluff, Arkansas |
| Died | January 24, 1989(1989-01-24) (aged 56) New York City |
| Genres | Jazz |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar, flute |
| Years active | 1957–1967 |
Leslie Spann Jr. (May 23, 1932 – January 24, 1989) was an Americanjazz guitarist and flautist.[1] As a sideman he recorded withNat Adderley,Benny Bailey,Bill Coleman,Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis,Curtis Fuller,Red Garland,Benny Goodman,Sam Jones,Abbey Lincoln,Charles Mingus,Duke Pearson,Jerome Richardson,Charlie Shavers,Sonny Stitt,Billy Taylor,Randy Weston, andBen Webster. As a leader he recorded only once, the albumGemini in 1961.[2][1]
Les Spann was born inPine Bluff, Arkansas, United States.[1] From 1950 to 1957, he studied music atTennessee State University.[1] At the end of that time he worked withPhineas Newborn Jr.[1] and in 1958 withRonnell Bright. The following year, he joined a quintet in New York City led byDizzy Gillespie, performing solos on flute and guitar and appearing on two of Gillespie's albums forVerve Records.[1] After a year with Gillespie, he went to Europe as a member ofQuincy Jones's big band.[1] Two more albums followed, this time with Spann joining a sextet that includedDuke Ellington,Johnny Hodges, andHarry "Sweets" Edison.[1] He recorded with Hodges again in 1967. Around 1970, he played flute in a quartet led by the guitarist Kenny Burrell.
He died in New York City in 1989.[2]
WithBill Coleman
WithDuke Ellington
WithDizzy Gillespie
WithJohnny Hodges
WithQuincy Jones
WithSam Jones
WithSonny Stitt
With others
