Born in 1935 in Lexington, Kentucky, Les McCann is a self-taught musician (other than the four piano lessons he took as a youth from a nice old lady who lived in the neighborhood). In the early '50s, he left the South and joined the Navy. While stationed in California, he took every opportunity to visit San Francisco's jazz clubs, where he first experienced Miles Davis. His first major influence though, was pianist Erroll Garner, who shared the same exuberance and bursting vocalizations. After his discharge from the military, McCann moved to Los Angeles and formed a trio, Les McCann Ltd., which became a favorite on the Sunset Strip by the end of the '50s.

Always fueled by his renegade spirit, Les McCann was recommended by Miles Davis to play with Cannonball Adderly, but turned it down to back the pop vocalist Gene McDaniels (100 Lbs. Of Clay). In 1960, McCann was signed to the L.A.-based Pacific Jazz label owned by producer Nick Venet, who recognized Les' signature soul groove style that mothered an entire movement of back-to- the-roots jazz. McCann became the label's top-selling artist, debuting with Plays the Truth (1960). He also co-headed albums with legendary labelmates such as organist Richard "Groove" Holmes, saxman Ben Webster, The Jazz Crusaders and Gerald Wilson Orchestra.

McCann's laid-back personality has always been an opening for musicians to perform together. 1960's 2 Antibes Jazz Festivals saw Les share the stage with Ray Charles and Count Basie. Then he toured with Zoot Sims and Charlie Byrd. He would move constantly, playing in countless sessions with the greatest names in jazz. He co-produced and co-headlined the debut album from Lou Rawls, Stormy Monday (1960). McCann and Stanley Turrentine also guested on each other's records during this period. In the early '70s, McCann heard Roberta Flack for the first time at a nightclub in Washington D. C., and immediately became her champion, as he did similarly with Mahalia Jackson and Nancy Wilson. After a brief stint on the Limelight Records label (a subsidiary of Mercury Records), which boasted Dizzy Gillespie, Rahsaan Roland Kirk and Art Blakey, McCann signed to Atlantic Records in 1967, his first major label deal. Said producer Joel Dorn of those years: "His perfect marriage of church and swing captured the spirit of the times in the same way that Ray Charles' mixture of gospel and blues heralded the arrival of soul."

Les McCann is best known for his work in the late '60s and early '70s with jazz pioneer Eddie Harris. Their first encounter at the Montreux Jazz Festival resulted in the album Swiss Movement (1969), which went on to become a top selling jazz album and spawned the platinum single "Compared to What." That same year, McCann released Much Les, once again hitting big on the strength of the hit ballad "With These Hands." Second Movement (1971) reunited McCann and Harris, and was followed by acclaimed recordings such as Invitation to Openness (1972), the double-record Live at Montreux (1973) and Layers (1973). The latter was a revolutionary, improvisational experiment that included 15 musicians and one 27-minute song. Les McCann helped pioneer the use of electric piano, clavinet, and synthesizer, starting with this work which was one of the earliest electronic jazz albums.

The early '80s saw the creation of McCann's Magic Band, which has recorded a number of independently-released albums, the most notable being On the Soul Side (1994), which once again reunited him with Eddie Harris and Lou Rawls and featured Jeff Elliot, Keith Anderson, Tony St. James and Abraham Laboriel. In addition, over the last few years McCann's music has been sampled by some of the hottest hip-hop artists in the world. The smash hit "Right Back At You" by rappers Mobb Deep samples Les' legendary tune "Benjamin." Other popular artists such as De La Soul, Lords Of The Underground, Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth have also had hits with Les McCann samples. His music will undoubtedly stand the test of time, as his ingenuity and artistry can be appreciated by anyone.

On September 15, Les McCann's newest release, How's Your Mother ("Live" In New York), actually serves as a glimpse into the past. Recorded in 1967 at The Village Vanguard, McCann leads a trio featuring bassist Leroy Vinnegar and drummer Frank Severino. The set to be released on 32 Jazz is a high-energy date encompassing all the funky-struts, gospel-tinged boogie and stylistic individuality that made Les McCann the jazz legend he is today. "When jazz trios were happenin' Les had one of the best ones," states Joel Dorn. "What you hear on How's Your Mother, you could have heard on any given night if you were lucky enough to have caught Les in the '60s."

As if a lifetime of musical success is not enough, Les' creations go beyond the keys. His personal relationships with jazz legends such as Miles Davis, Art Blakey and Duke Ellington as well as many other great historical characters have been documented in a collection of more than 8000 photographs that Les has taken over the years. As a serious photographer, Les has built a darkroom in his home and has sold a significant number of pieces. A large exhibition of his work has been exhibited at the Montreux Jazz Festival and reproduced by Graham Nash (Nash Editions). Les is also an exhibited painter, primarily a watercolorist with a particular interest in flowers. His work is hanging in two galleries, as well as his home where he entertains private showings. After Les suffered a serious stroke in 1995, he discovered that painting and maneuvering the camera are both therapeutic and strengthening. Les' expression as a visual artist communicates similar vibes of freshness, experimentation and peace, as does his music.

In Les McCann's own words: "I never plan the future, which leaves me with nothing to fear and more space in which to create." Les goes on to say, "I give thanks to the people who have helped me, including the musicians, the hospitals and the incredible amounts of angels in my life."

Thanks go to Les McCann, who is an angel in his own right.

"When jazz trios were happenin' Les had one of the best ones. What you hear on How's Your Mother, you could have heard on any given night if you were lucky enough to have caught Les in the '60s." -- Joel Dorn