Invitation to Openness

Born in 1935 in Lexington, Kentucky, pianist/singer/songwriter Les McCann moved to Los Angeles in the 1950s (after a stint in the Navy), where he formed a popular trio. Miles Davis urged him to work with Cannonball Adderly, but McCann chose to remain independent, and began recording "soul-jazz" albums for the Pacific Jazz label in 1960. His socially conscious album Swiss Movement, recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, has sold millions of copies and reached #1 on the Billboard chart. McCann's work continued to chart throughout the '70s: he has collaborated with many noteworthy musicians, and he is frequently sampled. McCann is also a painter, and has exhibited his photography. He continues to tour.