“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
[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
North Carolina Fine Art Award: Tribute to Lou
Lou Receives North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Award
Lou Proudly Displays North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Award 2012
Lou proudly displays North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Award
Lou Receives Ellington Medal
Lou Donaldson Quartet Performs When Lou Receives Medal Named In Honor of Duke Ellington at Yale 2012
Lou Receives Benjamin Banneker Award
Lou Receives Benjamin Banneker Award on February 27, 2014
The Family of Sweet Poppa Lou Donaldson sadly confirms his death on November 9, 2024. A private service was held on November 15, 2024.
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!