Lou Donaldson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lou Donaldson
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Donaldson in 2015
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| Background information | |
| Born | November 1, 1926 Badin, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | November 9, 2024 (aged 98) |
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| Occupation(s) |
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| Instruments | Alto saxophone |
| Years active | 1952–2017 |
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Lou Donaldson (born November 1, 1926 – died November 9, 2024) was an American jazz musician. He played the alto saxophone. Lou was famous for his soulful and bluesy style of playing. Many people loved how he made his saxophone sound. Early in his career, he was inspired by another great jazz musician, Charlie Parker. Lou's music was also used in many songs by other artists, especially his versions of "Pot Belly," "Ode to Billie Joe," and "It's Your Thing."
Contents
Lou Donaldson's Early Life and Music Journey
Lou Donaldson was born in Badin, North Carolina, on November 1, 1926. He went to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in the early 1940s. During World War II, he joined the U.S. Navy. He trained in Chicago, where he discovered a new type of jazz music called bop. This was a very exciting time for him.
Starting His Career in Music
After the war, Lou went back to Greensboro. He played music with a group called the Rhythm Vets. This band was made up of students who had also served in the Navy. In 1947, the band recorded music for a short movie called Pitch a Boogie Woogie. The movie was shown in some theaters in 1948. Years later, in 1985, the movie was brought back to life. Lou and the other surviving band members even played a reunion concert.
First Jazz Recordings and Collaborations
Lou Donaldson made his first jazz recordings in 1952. He played with famous bop musicians like Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk. He also joined small groups with other important jazz artists. These included trumpeter Blue Mitchell, pianist Horace Silver, and drummer Art Blakey.
In 1953, he recorded with trumpeter Clifford Brown and drummer Philly Joe Jones. Lou was also part of Art Blakey's Quintet. They recorded the famous A Night at Birdland albums in 1954. These recordings helped define a jazz style called hard bop.
Awards and Later Years
Lou Donaldson received many honors for his music. On October 11, 2012, he was added to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. In the same year, he was named an NEA Jazz Master. This is a very high award given by the National Endowment for the Arts.
Lou stopped performing regularly in 2017. He officially retired in 2018. However, he made a special appearance in 2021. This was for a concert celebrating his 95th birthday in New York City. Lou Donaldson passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 98.
Discography
Images for kids
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Lou Donaldson in San Francisco in June 1984
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Donaldson in Buffalo, New York
See also
In Spanish: Lou Donaldson para niños
