Lou Donaldson Article Index for
Lou
Website Links For
Lou
 

Information About

Lou Donaldson




His first recordings were with bop emissaries Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk in 1952 , and lead several small groups with other jazz luminaries such as trumpeter Blue Mitchell , pianist Horace Silver and the indomitable skinsman, Art Blakey .

In 1953, he also recorded sessions with the trumpet virtuoso Clifford Brown , and Philly Joe Jones , both who would go onto record some of the most renowned records of the jazz Idiom . In 1954 , Donaldson briefly joined the emerging Hard Bop ensemble, the Jazz Messengers , and appeared on one of their most popular albums, ''A Night At Birdland''.

Although he has recorded as a Sideman , he has never belonged to any Band other than those of which he was leader; he has been a bandleader since the mid- 1950s . He has recorded in the Bop , Hard Bop , and Soul Jazz genres. For many years his pianist was Herman Foster.


QUOTATIONS


  • "One of the unique qualities of Lou's work is that he incorporates a great deal of the ''whole'' jazz tradition in his playing. He's listened to just about everyone, and not only alto players. With this knowledge of the entire jazz language, Lou is definitely an individual voice." - Horace Parlan




REFERENCES