“Lou Donaldson is definitely considered one of the greatest alto sax players on the scene today and he has contributed more to the art of playing alto than about anyone around…”
Stanley News & Press, September 1993

Paul Jeffrey, Tenor Saxophonist
” 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
“The octogenarian virtuoso has lost little to the passing decades.”

The Chicago Tribune
“He remains the leading exponent of this soul-jazz approach. Yet even at its bluesiest, his playing remains informed by bebop.”

The New York Times
“My first impulse is always to describe Lou Donaldson as the greatest alto saxophonist in the world.”
The New York Sun, January 2007

Will Friedwald

NO FUSION — NO CONFUSION

JUST STRAIGHT AHEAD JAZZ, BEBOP & BLUES

LOU’S SIGNATURE TUNE

Lou’s Signature Tune: Blues Walk

BEBOP MASTER PLAYS WEE

BEBOP MASTER PLAYS CHEROKEE

LOU PLAYS ALL TIME HIT ALLIGATOR BOOGALOO

SPECIAL APPEARANCES

Lou Is Retired, But Check Back To Learn If He Is Making Any Special Appearances!

Lou & Charlie Parker 1953 or 1954 at Paradise on 110th Street & 8th Avenue in Harlem (Credit: Photographer Unknown)
(Credit: Photographer Unknown)

HONORS TO LOU

“Lou Donaldson Boulevard” Approved in Sweet Poppa Lou’s Hometown — Badin, NC!

The Department of Transportation approved naming a stretch of NC Highway 740 in Badin, NC

“LOU DONALDSON BOULEVARD”!

No date has been set yet for the Sign Unveiling Ceremony so check back soon for more information
or contact the
Town of Badin
for latest updates!

Badin, NC Seeks to Re-Name Highway “Lou Donaldson Boulevard”

January 14, 2020

Lou’s hometown Badin, North Carolina passed a resolution honoring its native son and publicly declaring its intention to re-name a portion of its NC Highway 740
“Lou Donaldson Boulevard.”

Lou Inducted Into South Florida Hall of Fame

July 28, 2019

THE SUNSHINE JAZZ ORGANIZATION, INC.
Miami, FL USA
https://www.sunshinejazz.org/default.html

SOUTH FLORIDA HALL OF FAME
Founder, Legendary First Lady of Jazz Alice Day

Lou Voted Best Alto Sax Player in NYC

2015 FANS DECISION JAZZ AWARDS
Hot House Magazine and the Metropolitan Room

Vote

LOU DONALDSON

BEST ALTO SAXOPHONE PLAYER
September 16, 2015