Les McCann is known for his extemporaneous ability to deliver a performance on the whim of a notion to play from his core. McCann was born in Lexington on September 23, 1935. He began taking piano lessons eventually transitioning to teaching himself to play the piano.
McCann joined the Navy in 1950’s and was stationed in different places. While he was stationed in California, he frequented many jazz clubs in and around San Francisco. While in San Francisco, he encountered the legend known as Miles Davis who turned out to be a great influence on the young jazz musician.
In 1960, McCann signed with Los Angeles based record label Pacific Jazz launching him as the labels best selling jazz artist. His debut album, Truth (Plays the Truth) was billed under the label Fresh Sound collaborated with Leroy Vinnegar, Herbie Lewis and Ron Jefferson. Known as Les McCann Ltd, his band became a main staple on the Sunset Strip.
Another album recorded with Eddie Harris, that defined McCann’s career was Swiss Movement. The album, recorded in 1969 was one of the top selling albums and the single “Compared to What” went Platinum.
McCann has stated “I never plan the future,” thus reinforcing his innovative and impulsive style of music. Playing in venues that have spanned the globe, Les McCann has proven to be an inspiration to many artists. Over his career, McCann has shared musical moments with other music greats such as Roberta Flack, Richard ‘Groove’ Holmes, Ben Webster, Ray Charles, Count Basie, Zoot Sims, Charlie Byrd, Lou Rawls, Stanley Turrentine, Jeff Elliott, Keith Anderson, Tony St. James, and Abraham Laboriel.
Many contemporary groups have sampled McCann’s music which include, Mobb Deep, De La Soul, Lords of the Underground, and Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth.
Many years after overcoming hurdles such as illness, McCann has discovered a different form of artistic expression through painting. He has had shows that featured his paintings in many preeminent galleries.
As one of the pioneers of revolutionary music, Les McCann has proven to be a timeless figure of soulful jazz.
Les McCann list of Album Discography include:
- Plays the Truth, 1960, Pacific Jazz
- The Shout, 1960, Pacific Jazz
- Groove1961, Pacific Jazz, with Richard "Groove" Holmes and Ben Webster
- In San Francisco1961, Pacific Jazz
- Les McCann in New York, 1961, Pacific Jazz
- Stormy Monday, 1962, Capitol, with Lou Rawls
- Somethin' Special, 1962, Pacific Jazz, with Richard "Groove" Holmes
- In New York, 1962, Pacific Jazz, with Stanley Turrentine
- On Time, 1962, Pacific Jazz
- The Gospel Truth, 1963, Pacific Jazz
- Soul Hits, 1963, Pacific Jazz
- Plays the Shampoo At The Village Gate, 1963, Pacific Jazz
- Jazz Waltz, 1964, Pacific Jazz, with the Jazz Crusaders
- New From The Big City, 1964, Pacific Jazz
- Spanish Onions, 1964, Pacific Jazz
- McCanna, 1964, Pacific Jazz
- McCann/Wilson, 1965, Pacific Jazz, with the Gerald Wilson Orchestra
- But Not Really, 1965, Limelight Records
- Plays the Hits, 1967, Limelight
- Django, 1968, Sunset Records (a product of Liberty Records)
- Live At Shelly's Manne Hole, Limelight
- Beaux J. Pooboo, Limelight
- Bucket O' Grease, Limelight
- Live At The Bohemian Caverns, Washington, DC, Limelight
- Poo Boo, Limelight
- Much Les, 1969, Atlantic
- Swiss Movement, 1969, Atlantic, with Eddie Harris
- Comment, 1970, Atlantic
- Second Movement, 1971, Atlantic, with Eddie Harris
- Invitation to Openness, 1972, Atlantic
- Talk to the People, 1972, Atlantic
- Fish This Week, 1973, Blue Note/United Artists
- Layers, 1973, Atlantic
- Live at Montreux, 1973, Atlantic
- Another Beginning, 1974, Atlantic
- Hustle to Survive, 1975, Atlantic
- River High, River Low, 1976, Atlantic
- Change Change Change; Live At the Roxy, 1977, ABC
- The Man, 1978, A&M
- Tall, Dark & Handsome, 1979, A&M
- The Longer You Wait, 1983, JAM
- McCann's Music Box, 1984, JAM
- The Butterfly, 1988, Stone
- More of Les, 1989
- Relationships: The Les McCann Anthology, 1993, Rhino/Atlantic
- On The Soul Side, 1994, MusicMasters
- Piano Jazz, 1996, NPR Piano Jazz Series, featuring Marian McPartland
- Listen Up!!, 1996, Music Masters
- Pacifique, 1998, Music Masters, with Joja Wendt
- How's your mother?1998, 32JAZZ
- Pump it up, 2002, France
- Jazz Legend Project, 2004, Megaphon
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