Video of 99-year old jazz pennywhistler Les Lieber

Whistle
1

Les Lieber turns 100 on March 16, and he still performs weekly in NYC. Catch him while you can!

Here’s a video with an interview and some whistling - http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2012/03/02/virtuoso-of-the-penny-whistle-turns-100/

Here’s the accompanying article - http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203753704577254012554098108.html

Another article with video from last year - http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/18/jazz-at-noon-is-closing-out-a-46-year-run/

Audio of Les jamming on whistle with Django Reinhardt in 1945 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq6pHSwpqxs

Video of Les performing last year - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yujgOeABerA

His web site - http://www.jazzatnoon.com/

2

Brilliant! thanks for that.

3

That is some insane stuff! Many thanks for posting.

4

Awww …

That’s wonderful stuff.

Les’s whistle sounds just perfect alongside Django’s guitar. I would say the best chance is, that’s an all metal Generation whistle he’s playing. However, around that time, I believe there were quite a few “no name” whistles of the same construction, so I can’t guess how strong the odds are for or against the Generation. In any case, it would have been an all metal whistle of that type.

Best wishes,
Jerry

5

And since we’re talking about jazz and it’s about that time…our annual reminder

Best wishes.

Steve

6

Good stuff! Thanks for the links.
That’s a real encouragement to us elderly. I remember Django but never noticed Les before. What a man!
Mack

7

Excellent! What a lovely bloke. Haven’t come across him before, so thanks for that.

:thumbsup:

8

looks like a generation to me, not a D I think it is an F

9

cough three days late and a month early :smiley:

10

Wonderful! Thanks.

Philo

11

Jerry’s talking about the one you can only hear (in the track with Django).

12

Thank you. I liked the Django track a lot, though I was ready for the piano to take over when it did.

13

On the zig-zag time line…

Best wishes.

Steve

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Right. The clip that’s embedded in the New York Times article was recorded in 1945. Generation started using the plastic whistleheads around 1958.

Best wishes,
Jerry

15

Yes, I remember hearing it at the time…

Philo

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[THREAD REVIVAL - MOD]

Hai Guys.

If I am not mistaking , this video wasnt posted yet..
A young Les..1939

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8inPXiss5RU

Enjoy, Cheers D

17

It was. All of his stuff is so cool. Real jazz no noodling.
https://forums.chiffandfipple.com/t/jazz-whistle-player/74830/1

18

All right, thanks, cool topic, Roland Kirk, o my god.. :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:

Cheers Droop.