Lou Donaldson
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| Lou Donaldson | |
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Lou Donaldson checking out a Mike LeDonne solo
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 1, 1926 |
| Origin | Badin, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Genre(s) | Bebop, hard bop, jazz blues, soul jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Bandleader, composer, saxophonist |
| Instrument(s) | Alto saxophone |
| Years active | 1952–present |
Lou Donaldson (born November 1, 1926) is a jazz alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker.[1]
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[edit] Biography
His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk in 1952,[2] and he led several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Horace Silver, and drummer Art Blakey.[1]
In 1953, he also recorded sessions with the trumpet virtuoso Clifford Brown, and Philly Joe Jones. He was a member of Art Blakey's Quintet and appeared on some of their most popular albums, including A Night at Birdland Vol. 1.
He has recorded in the bop, hard bop, and soul jazz genres. For many years his pianist was Herman Foster.
[edit] Discography
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[edit] As leader
- 1953: Clifford Brown Memorial Album (Blue Note)
- 1957: Lou Takes Off
- 1958: Blues Walk
- 1958: Light Foot[3]
- 1961: The Time Is Right
- 1962: Funky Mama
- 1963: Gravy Train
- 1967: The Natural Soul Tommy Turrentine (tr), John Patton (org), Grant Green (guit), Ben Dixon (dr).
- 1967: Alligator Boogaloo Melvin Lastie (corn), George Benson (guit), Lonnie Smith (org), Leo Morris (dr).
- 1967: Mr. Shing-A-Ling Blue Mitchell (tr), Jimmy ”Fats” Ponder (guit), Lonnie Smith (org), Leo Morris (dr).
- 1968: Midnight Creeper Blue Mitchell (tr), George Benson (guit), Lonnie Smith (org), Idris Muhammad (dr).
- 1969: Say It Loud! Blue Mitchell (tr), Jimmy ”Fats” Ponder (guit), Charles Earland (org), Idris Muhammad (dr).
- 1969: Hot Dog Ed Williams (tr), Melvin Sparks (guit), Charles Earland (org), Idris Muhammad (dr).
- 1970: Everything I Play Is Funky Blue Mitchell (tr), Melvin Sparks (guit), Lonnie Smith (org), Jimmy Lewis (b), Idris Muhammad (dr).
- 1970: Pretty Things Blue Mitchell (tr), Ted Dunbar (guit), Leon Spencer Jr. (org), Idris Muhammad (dr).
- 1971: Cosmos
- 1973: Sassy Soul Strut
- 1974: Sweet Lou
- 1975 A different scene"
- 1993: Caracas
- 1994: The Righteous Reed! The Best of Poppa Lou
- 1996: The Best of Lou Donaldson, Vol. 2 The Blue Note Years.
[edit] As sideman
- 1952: Thelonious Monk: Genius of Modern Music (Blue Note)
- 1954: Miles Davis: Bags' Groove
- 1954: Art Blakey: A Night at Birdland Vol. 1
- 1954: Art Blakey: A Night at Birdland Vol. 2
- 1954: Art Blakey: A Night at Birdland Vol. 3
- 1958: Jimmy Smith: Cool Blues
- 1958: Jimmy Smith: House Party
- 1963: Jimmy Smith: Rockin' the Boat

