• “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 Donaldson in Concert at Kennedy Center 2014-for slider

LOU’S SIGNATURE TUNE

Lou's Signature Tune: Blues Walk

Lou’s Signature Tune: Blues Walk

BEBOP MASTER PLAYS WEE

BEBOP MASTER PLAYS CHEROKEE

LOU PLAYS ALL TIME HIT ALLIGATOR BOOGALOO

SPECIAL APPEARANCES

[gigpress_shows]

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 Recognized as One of first United States Navy African American Musicians

Navy Recognition of first African American Musicians 1942-1945

Sweet Poppa Lou Unveils “Lou Donaldson Boulevard” Sign on NC Highway 740 in Hometown Badin, NC!

See Lou Donaldson News!

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

The Department of Transportation Named NC Highway 740 in Badin, NC

“LOU DONALDSON BOULEVARD”!

 

Invitation Lou Donaldson Boulevard Highway Dedication

 

For more information about Lou Donaldson Boulevard, contact Town of Badin – https://badin.org/index.html or https://www.facebook.com/BadinNC

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.”

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The Family of Sweet Poppa Lou Donaldson sadly confirms his death on November 9, 2024
in Daytona Beach, FL. 


A private service was held on November 15, 2024 in New York City where he enjoyed most of his greatest successes in the Jazz scene and is now buried with his wife of 56 years and longtime business partner,
Maker Donaldson.

Thank you for your support of Lou and his music throughout his career. 


Because of you, his legendary contributions to Jazz will live on forever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HAPPY 98th BIRTHDAY
SWEET POPPA LOU!
November 1, 1926
and
Congratulations on Induction into the
JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER
ERTEGUN JAZZ HALL OF FAME!
at
DIZZY'S NYC
Sold Out Birthday & Induction Celebration
on
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024!!!

Sincere Thanks to All Who Attended
to Honor Sweet Poppa Lou and
Make the Celebration a Great Success!

Lou Donaldson enjoys applause at his 97th Birthday Celebration at Dizzy's NYC 2023.
Credit: Chris Drukker Photography

Still the quintessential entertainer even though he is no longer blowing his sax, Lou Donaldson gives the classic roasts his fans love to hear at his 96th Birthday Celebration in November at Dizzy's NYC in 2022 as Jerry Weldon, Champian Fulton & Akiko Tsuruga enjoy! Join the fun for his 98th Birthday Celebration on Wednesday, October 30 at Dizzy's NYC 2024!
Credit: Chris Drukker Photography

Also read about LOU DONALDSON BOULEVARD named in Lou's honor!