Jack Lesberg
Bass
Born Boston, Mass., 2/14/20.
Double bass player. He played violin in Boston clubs in the 1930s,
worked with Muggsy Spanier (1940) and then moved to New York (c1944),
where he played in the New York City Symphony Orchstra (1945-8).
During a long career he has recorded and in many instances also
performed with numerous leaders, notably Eddie Condon (1944-50),
Sarah Vaughan (1044, 1949), Wild Bill Davison (1945, 1946,1949),
Benny Goodman (1946, 1967), Louis Armstrong (1947, 1949),
Jack Teagarden and Coleman Hawkins (both in 1947). Peanuts Hucko (1947, 1950, 1953),
Sidney Bechet (1949), Tommy Dorsey (1950), Kai Winding (1951),
Jimmy McPartland (1952, 1953), Max Kaminsky (1954. 1963), Billy
Butterfield (1954. 1956-8), Urbie Green (1956), Bobbie Hackett (1963, 1969-70),
Ruby Braff (1967) and Joe Venuti (c1969).
He toured Australia, England and Africa with Armstrong in 1956
and made two European tours - with Teagarden and Earl Hines (1957)
and Georgie Auld and Doc Severinsen (1962). After visiting the Pacific
with Eddie Condon (1964) he returned to Europe in 1965 to play in
Iceland with Louis Armstrong. Newport Jazz Festival with George Wein '65.
After a period of working in classical
and jazz ensembles in Australia (1971-4) he returned to the USA and
recorded as leader (1977). In the 1980s he again toured Europe
several times, with the group called Tribute to Louis Armstrong
with Braff, and with Yank Lawson. He has been music director
at jazz parties in Odessa, Texas (from 1967), Midland, Texas
(from 1977) and Minneapolis (from 1985).
LPs with Bud Freeman (Capitol), Jack Teagarden (Capital),
Midnight in Moscow with Eddie Condon (Epic).
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