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Pres and Teddy is a jazz album by The Lester Young and Teddy Wilson Quartet, recorded in January 1956. Originally released on LP by Verve in 1959, it has subsequently been reissued on CD by Verve, Universal Japan and Lonehill Jazz.

Reception

The AllMusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 5 stars and stated:”Although it has been written much too often that Lester Young declined rapidly from the mid-’40s on, the truth is that when he was healthy, Young played at his very best during the ’50s, adding an emotional intensity to his sound that had not been present during the more carefree days of the ’30s. This classic session, a reunion with pianist Teddy Wilson and drummer Jo Jones (bassist Gene Ramey completes the quartet), finds the great tenor in particularly expressive form. His rendition of “Prisoner of Love” is quite haunting, the version of “All of Me” is also memorable, and all of the swing standards (which are joined by his original “Pres Returns”) are well worth hearing. This date (which has been reissued on CD) was recorded the day after Young’s other classic from his late period, Jazz Giants ’56.”

In 1994, The New York Times listed the album as among 10 of the “high points” of music produced by Norman Granz, who founded the Verve label, describing it as “a magnificent set of standards”.

Track listing
“All of Me” (Gerald Marks, Seymour Simons) – 5:10
“Prisoner of Love” (Russ Columbo, Clarence Gaskill, Leo Robin) – 7:40
“Louise” (Leo Robin, Richard A. Whiting) – 5:18
“Love Me or Leave Me” (Walter Donaldson, Gus Kahn) – 6:50
“Taking a Chance on Love” (Vernon Duke, Ted Fetter, John Latouche) – 5:10
“Love Is Here to Stay” (George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin) – 6:31
“Pres Returns” (Lester Young) – 6:18 Bonus track on CD reissue

Personnel
Teddy Wilson – piano
Lester Young – tenor saxophone
Gene Ramey – bass
Jo Jones – drums

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Released: Early April 1959
Recorded: January 13, 1956
New York City
Length: 42:57
Label: Verve
MGV-8205
Producer: Norman Granz