Lou Donaldson
Encyclopedia
Lou Donaldson is a jazz
alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina
. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone
, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop
era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker
.
His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson
and Thelonious Monk
in 1952, and he participated in several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell
, pianist Horace Silver
, and drummer Art Blakey
.
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 best regarded albums, including the two albums recorded at Birdland in February 1954 Night at Birdland
.
He has recorded in the bop
, hard bop
, and soul jazz
genres. For many years his pianist was Herman Foster
.
With Milt Jackson
With Thelonious Monk
With Miles Davis
With Art Blakey
With Jimmy Smith
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
alto saxophonist. He was born in Badin, North Carolina
Badin, North Carolina
Badin is a town located in Stanly County, North Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,154.-Geography:Badin is located at 35°24'17" North, 80°6'57" West ....
. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone
Alto saxophone
The alto saxophone is a member of the saxophone family of woodwind instruments invented by Belgian instrument designer Adolphe Sax in 1841. It is smaller than the tenor but larger than the soprano, and is the type most used in classical compositions...
, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker
Charlie Parker
Charles Parker, Jr. , famously called Bird or Yardbird, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer....
.
His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson
Milt Jackson
Milton "Bags" Jackson was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms...
and Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
in 1952, and he participated in several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell
Blue Mitchell
Richard Allen Mitchell was an American jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, rock, and funk trumpeter, known for many albums recorded as leader and sideman for Riverside, Blue Note and then Mainstream Records.-Biography:...
, pianist Horace Silver
Horace Silver
Horace Silver , born Horace Ward Martin Tavares Silva in Norwalk, Connecticut, is an American jazz pianist and composer....
, and drummer Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
.
In 1953, he also recorded sessions with the trumpet virtuoso Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown
Clifford Brown , aka "Brownie," was an influential and highly rated American jazz trumpeter. He died aged 25, leaving behind only four years' worth of recordings...
, and Philly Joe Jones
Philly Joe Jones
Joseph Rudolph Jones was a Philadelphia-born United States jazz drummer, known as the drummer for the Miles Davis Quintet.Philly Joe Jones was often confused with another influential jazz drummer, Jo Jones...
. He was a member of Art Blakey's Quintet and appeared on some of their best regarded albums, including the two albums recorded at Birdland in February 1954 Night at Birdland
A Night at Birdland Vol. 1
A Night at Birdland Vol. 1 is a 1954 release by jazz artist Art Blakey. It was first released by Blue Note Records as a 10" LP and then as a 12" LP containing material from the third 10" album...
.
He has recorded in the bop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
, hard bop
Hard bop
Hard bop is a style of jazz that is an extension of bebop music. Journalists and record companies began using the term in the mid-1950s to describe a new current within jazz which incorporated influences from rhythm and blues, gospel music, and blues, especially in the saxophone and piano...
, and soul jazz
Soul jazz
Soul jazz is a development of jazz incorporating strong influences from blues, soul, gospel and rhythm and blues in music for small groups, often an organ trio featuring a Hammond organ.- Overview :Soul jazz is often associated with hard bop. Mark C...
genres. For many years his pianist was Herman Foster
Herman Foster
Herman Foster was an American bebop jazz pianist.He began his musical career early playing the violin, clarinet, saxophone, and piano. He became a self-taught pianist. His family moved to New York City in 1947 where he began to attend jam sessions and then played with Eric Dixon, Dick Carter and...
.
As leader
- 1952: Quartet/Quintet/SextetQuartet/Quintet/SextetQuartet/Quintet/Sextet is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson featuring his earliest recordings as a leader on the Blue Note label performed by Donaldson's Quartet with Horace Silver, Gene Ramey and Art Taylor, his Quintet with Silver, Blue Mitchell, Art Blakey, and Percy Heath, and a Sextet...
- 1957: Wailing with LouWailing with LouWailing with Lou is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson released on the Blue Note label in 1957 featuring performances by Donaldson's Quintet with Donald Byrd, Herman Foster, Peck Morrison and Art Taylor....
- 1957: Swing and SoulSwing and SoulSwing and Soul is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson's Quintet with Herman Foster, Peck Morrison, Dave Bailey, and Ray Barretto...
- 1957: Jimmy Smith Trio + LDJimmy Smith Trio + LDJimmy Smith Trio + LD is an album by jazz organist Jimmy Smith and saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1957 but not issued at the time.-Reception:...
- 1957: Lou Takes OffLou Takes OffLou Takes Off is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson's Sextet with Donald Byrd, Curtis Fuller, Sonny Clark, Jamil Nasser, and Art Taylor...
- 1958: Blues WalkBlues WalkBlues Walk is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson.It has been considered Donaldson's "undisputed masterpiece".- Track listing :# "Blues Walk" 6:44# "Move" 5:54# "The Masquerade Is Over" 5:54...
- 1958: Light-FootLight-FootLight-Foot is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson's Quintet with Herman Foster, Peck Morrison, Jimmy Wormsworth, and Ray Barretto...
- 1959: LD + 3LD + 3LD + 3 is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson and The Three Sounds recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Gene Harris, Andrew Simpkins, and Bill Dowdy.-Reception:...
- 1959: The Time is RightThe Time Is RightThe Time Is Right is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Horace Parlan, Laymon Jackson, Dave Bailey, and Ray Barretto with Sam Jones and Al Harewood replacing Jackson and Bailey on one track. The album was...
- 1960: Sunny Side UpSunny Side Up (Lou Donaldson album)Sunny Side Up is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Donaldson with Bill Hardman, Horace Parlan, Sam Jones, Al Harewood, with Laymon Jackson replacing Jones on four tracks...
- 1960: Midnight SunMidnight Sun (Lou Donaldson album)Midnight Sun is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1960 and performed by Donaldson with Horace Parlan, George Tucker, Al Harewood, and Ray Barretto....
- 1961: Here 'TisHere 'TisHere 'Tis is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1961 and performed by Donaldson with Baby Face Willette, Grant Green, and Dave Bailey....
- 1961: Gravy TrainGravy Train (album)Gravy Train is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1961 and performed by Donaldson with Herman Foster, Ben Tucker, Dave Bailey, and Alec Dorsey....
- 1961: A Man with a HornA Man with a HornA Man with a Horn is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson featuring sessions recorded for the Blue Note label in 1961 and 1963 , one performed by Donaldson with Brother Jack McDuff, Grant Green, and Joe Dukes, and one with Grant Green, Irvin Stokes, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon.The album...
- 1962: The Natural SoulThe Natural SoulThe Natural Soul is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1962 and performed by Donaldson with Grant Green, Tommy Turrentine, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon....
- 1963: Good Gracious!Good Gracious!Good Gracious! is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1963 and performed by Donaldson with Grant Green, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon....
- 1963: Signifyin'Signifyin' (album)Signifyin' is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Argo label in 1963 and performed by Donaldson with Roy Montrell, Tommy Turrentine, Big John Patton, and Ben Dixon....
- 1964: Possum HeadPossum HeadPossum Head is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Argo label in 1964 and performed by Donaldson with Bill Hardman, Big John Patton, Ray Crawford, Ben Dixon, and Cleopas Morris....
- 1964: Cole SlawCole SlawCole Slaw is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Argo label in 1964 and performed by Donaldson with Herman Foster, Earl May, Bruno Carr, and Ray Barretto.The album was awarded 3 stars in an Allmusic review....
- 1964: Rough House BluesRough House BluesRough House Blues is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Cadet label in 1964 and performed Donaldson with Dave Burns, Ernie Royal, Phil Woods, Bob Ashton, Danny Bank, Lloyd Mayers Jr., Richard Davis, and Grady Tate, conducted and arranged by Oliver Nelson.The album was...
- 1965: Musty RustyMusty RustyMusty Rusty is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Cadet label in 1965 and performed by Donaldson with Bill Hardman, Billy Gardner, Grant Green, and Ben Dixon....
- 1965: Fried BuzzardFried BuzzardFried Buzzard is a live album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded at the Bon Ton Club in Buffalo, NY for the Cadet label in 1965 and performed Donaldson with Bill Hardman, Billy Gardner, Warren Stephens, and Leo Morris....
- 1966: Blowing in the WindBlowing in the Wind (album)Blowing in the Wind is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Cadet label in 1966 and performed by Donaldson with Herman Foster, Sam Jones, Leo Morris and Richard Landrum....
- 1966: Lou Donaldson At His BestLou Donaldson At His BestLou Donaldson At His Best is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Cadet label in 1966 and performed by Donaldson with Herman Foster, Sam Jones, Leo Morris, and Richard Landrum....
- 1967: Lush LifeLush Life (Lou Donaldson album)Lush Life is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Freddie Hubbard, Garnett Brown, Jerry Dodgion, Wayne Shorter, Pepper Adams, McCoy Tyner, Ron Carter, and Al Harewood performing arrangements by Duke Pearson...
- 1967: Alligator BogalooAlligator BogalooAlligator Bogaloo is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Melvin Lastie, Lonnie Smith, George Benson, and Leo Morris....
- 1967: Mr. Shing-A-LingMr. Shing-A-LingMr. Shing-A-Ling is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1967 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell , Lonnie Smith, Jimmy Ponder, and Leo Morris....
- 1968: Midnight CreeperMidnight CreeperMidnight Creeper is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, George Benson, and Leo Morris....
- 1968: Say It Loud!Say It Loud!Say It Loud! is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell , Charles Earland, Jimmy Ponder, and Leo Morris....
- 1969: Hot DogHot Dog (album)Hot Dog is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label in 1969 and featuring Donaldson with Ed Williams , Charles Earland, Melvin Sparks, and Leo Morris....
- 1970: Everything I Play is FunkyEverything I Play Is FunkyEverything I Play is Funky is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Lonnie Smith, Melvin Sparks, Jimmy Lewis and Leo Morris and two tracks with Ed Williams and Charles Earland replacing Mitchell & Smith.The album was...
- 1970: Pretty ThingsPretty Things (album)Pretty Things is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Leon Spencer, Ted Dunbar, and Idris Muhammad and one track with Lonnie Smith and Melvin Sparks replacing Spencer & Dunbar and Jimmy Lewis added.The album was awarded...
- 1970: The ScorpionThe Scorpion (album)The Scorpion: Live at the Cadillac Club is an live album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded in Newark, New Jersey in 1970 for the Blue Note label featuring a performance by Donaldson with Fred Ballard, Leon Spencer, Melvin Sparks, and Idris Muhammad.The album was awarded 2 stars in an...
- 1971: CosmosCosmos (Lou Donaldson album)Cosmos is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label featuring Donaldson with Ed Williams, Leon Spencer, Melvin Sparks, Jerry Jemmott, Idris Muhammad, and Ray Armando, with vocals by Mildred Brown, Rosalyn Brown, and Naomi Thomas, arranged by Jimmy Briggs.The album...
- 1972: Sophisticated LouSophisticated LouSophisticated Lou is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label featuring Donaldson with Joe Farrell, Paul Winter, Joe Venuto, Derek Smith, Jay Berliner, Richard Davis, Ron Carter, Grady Tate, and Omar Clay with a string section arranged by Wade Marcus.The album was...
- 1973: Sassy Soul StrutSassy Soul StrutSassy Soul Strut is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded for the Blue Note label featuring Donaldson with Thad Jones, Garnett Brown, Seldon Powell, Buddy Lucas, Paul Griffin, Horace Ott, Hugh McCracken, David Spinozza, John Tropea, Wilbur Bascomb, Bernard Purdie, Omar Clay, and Jack...
- 1974: Sweet LouSweet Lou (album)Sweet Lou is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his final recorded for the Blue Note label, featuring Donaldson with a big band arranged and conducted by Horace Ott....
- 1976: A Different SceneA Different SceneA Different Scene is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his first recorded for the Cotillion label, featuring Donaldson with a big band arranged by Mike Goldberg and Ricky West.The album was awarded 2 out of 5 stars in an Allmusic review....
- 1976: Color as a Way of LifeColor as a Way of LifeColor as a Way of Life is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his second recorded for the Cotillion label, featuring Donaldson with an orchestra arranged by Mike Goldberg and Dennis Williams.The album was awarded 2 stars in an Allmusic review....
- 1981: Sweet Poppa LouSweet Poppa LouSweet Popp Lou is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his first recording for the Muse label, featuring Donaldson's quartet with Herman Foster, Calvin Hill, Idris Muhammad, and additional percussion on three tracks by Ralph Dorsey....
- 1981: Forgotten ManForgotten Man (album)Forgotten Man is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his first recording for the Timeless label, featuring Donaldson's quartet with Herman Foster, Geoff Fuller, and Victor Jones....
- 1982: Back StreetBack Street (album)Back Street is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his second recording for the Muse label, featuring Donaldson's quartet with Herman Foster, Geoff Fuller, and Victor Jones.The album was awarded 3 stars in an Allmusic review....
- 1984: Live in BolognaLive in Bologna (Lou Donaldson album)Live in Bologna is a live album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his second recording for the Timeless label, featuring Donaldson's quartet with Herman Foster, Geoff Fuller, and Victor Jones....
- 1990: Play the Right ThingPlay the Right ThingPlay the Right Thing is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his first recording for the Milestone label, featuring Donaldson with Lonnie Smith, Peter Bernstein, Bernard Purdie, and Ralph Dorsey....
- 1992: BirdseedBirdseed (album)Birdseed is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his second recording for the Milestone label, featuring Donaldson with David Braham, Peter Bernstein, Fukushi Tainaka, and Ralph Dorsey....
- 1993: CaracasCaracas (album)Caracas is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his third recording for the Milestone label, featuring Donaldson with Lonnie Smith, Peter Bernstein, Kenny Washington, and Ralph Dorsey....
- 1995: Sentimental JourneySentimental Journey (Lou Donaldson album)Sentimental Journey is an album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson, his first release for the Columbia label, featuring Donaldson with Lonnie Smith, Peter Bernstein, and Fukushi Tainaka, with Ray Mantilla contributing percussion on three tracks....
- 2000: Relaxing at Sea: Live on the QE2Relaxing at Sea: Live on the QE2Relaxing at Sea: Live on the QE2 is a live album by jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson recorded on the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 cruise ship and released on the Chiaroscuro label featuring Donaldson with Lonnie Smith, Randy Johnston, and Danny Burger with Nicholas Payton added on trumpet on two tracks.The...
Compilations
- 1994: The Righteous Reed! The Best of Poppa Lou
- 1996: The Best of Lou Donaldson, Vol. 2 The Blue Note Years.
- 1998: Blue Breakbeats
As sideman
With Clifford BrownClifford Brown
Clifford Brown , aka "Brownie," was an influential and highly rated American jazz trumpeter. He died aged 25, leaving behind only four years' worth of recordings...
- Memorial AlbumMemorial AlbumMemorial Album is an album by American jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown composed of tracks recorded at two sessions in 1953 and originally released on the Blue Note label in 1956...
(Blue Note, 1953)
With Milt Jackson
Milt Jackson
Milton "Bags" Jackson was an American jazz vibraphonist, usually thought of as a bebop player, although he performed in several jazz idioms...
- All Star Bags (Prestige, 1953)
With Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Monk
Thelonious Sphere Monk was an American jazz pianist and composer considered "one of the giants of American music". Monk had a unique improvisational style and made numerous contributions to the standard jazz repertoire, including "Epistrophy", "'Round Midnight", "Blue Monk", "Straight, No Chaser"...
- Genius of Modern Music (Blue Note, 1952)
With Miles Davis
Miles Davis
Miles Dewey Davis III was an American jazz musician, trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. Widely considered one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Miles Davis was, with his musical groups, at the forefront of several major developments in jazz music, including bebop, cool jazz,...
- Bags' GrooveBags' GrooveBags' Groove is a jazz album recorded by Miles Davis in 1954 for Prestige Records. Both takes of the title track come from a session on December 24, 1954 . The rest of the album was recorded earlier in the year, on 29 June. Bags' Groove is a jazz album recorded by Miles Davis in 1954 for Prestige...
(Prestige, 1954)
With Art Blakey
Art Blakey
Arthur "Art" Blakey , known later as Abdullah Ibn Buhaina, was an American Grammy Award-winning jazz drummer and bandleader. He was a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community....
- A Night at Birdland Vol. 1A Night at Birdland Vol. 1A Night at Birdland Vol. 1 is a 1954 release by jazz artist Art Blakey. It was first released by Blue Note Records as a 10" LP and then as a 12" LP containing material from the third 10" album...
(Blue Note, 1954) - A Night at Birdland Vol. 2A Night at Birdland Vol. 2A Night at Birdland Vol. 2 is a 1954 release by jazz drummer Art Blakey. It was first released by Blue Note Records as BLP 5038 and two years later as BLP 1521 incorporating material from the third 10" release...
(Blue Note, 1954) - A Night at Birdland Vol. 3A Night at Birdland Vol. 3A Night at Birdland Vol. 3 is a 1954 jazz 10" LP release by Art Blakey Quintet for Blue Note Records. It was originally the third in a series of albums recorded during a pre-Jazz Messengers date at Birdland Jazz Club with Blakey leading...
(Blue Note, 1954)
With Jimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith (musician)
Jimmy Smith was a jazz musician whose performances on the Hammond B-3 electric organ helped to popularize this instrument...
- A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume OneA Date with Jimmy Smith Volume OneA Date with Jimmy Smith Volume One is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars out of 5.-Side one:...
(Blue Note, 1957) - A Date with Jimmy Smith Volume TwoA Date with Jimmy Smith Volume TwoA Date with Jimmy Smith Volume Two is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars out of 5.-Side one:...
(Blue Note, 1957) - House PartyHouse Party (Jimmy Smith album)House Party is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1957 and 1958 and released on the Blue Note label...
(Blue Note, 1958) - The Sermon!The Sermon!The Sermon! is a 1958 album by jazz organist Jimmy Smith. It was produced by the Blue Note record label. Allmusic's Lindsay Planer described the album as "a prime example of Smith and company's myriad of talents".-Personnel:* Jimmy Smith - organ...
(Blue Note, 1958) - Cool BluesCool Blues (album)Cool Blues is a live album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded at Small's Paradise in New York City in 1958 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1978...
(Blue Note, 1958) - Rockin' the BoatRockin' the BoatRockin' the Boat is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(Blue Note, 1963)