Les Spann
Leslie Spann Jr. (May 23, 1932 – January 24, 1989) was an American jazz guitarist and flautist.
Les Spann
- Name
- Les Spann
- Birth Name
- Leslie Spann Jr.
- Born
- 23 May 1932
- Birthplace
- Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- Died
- 24 January 1989
- Place of death
- New York City
- Occupation
- Musician
- Nationality
- United States
- Fields
- jazz
- Education
- Tennessee State University
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Leslie Spann Jr. (May 23, 1932 – January 24, 1989) was an American jazz guitarist and flautist.
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wikidata · Q1577989 · wikipedia · Les Spann
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Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Les Spann • Birth Name — Leslie Spann Jr. • Born — 23 May 1932 • Birthplace — Pine Bluff, Arkansas • Died — 24 January 1989 • Place of death — New York City • Genre — Jazz • Occupation — Musician • Instrument — Guitar, flute • Years Active — 1957–1967
Career
Career
Les Spann was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States. From 1950 to 1957, he studied music at Tennessee State University. At the end of that time he worked with Phineas Newborn Jr. and in 1958 with Ronnell Bright. The following year, he joined a quintet in New York City led by Dizzy Gillespie, performing solos on flute and guitar and appearing on two of Gillespie's albums for Verve Records. After a year with Gillespie, he went to Europe as a member of Quincy Jones's big band. Two more albums followed, this time with Spann joining a sextet that included Duke Ellington, Johnny Hodges, and Harry "Sweets" Edison. He recorded with Hodges again in 1967. Around 1970, he played flute in a quartet led by the guitarist Kenny Burrell. He died in New York City in 1989.
As leader
As leader
• Gemini (Jazzland, 1961)
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1932
Les Spann born at Pine Bluff.
1989
Les Spann died at New York City.
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Pine Bluff.
Birth place
New York City.
Death place
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The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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