LOU DONALDSON

Brady Horine from Washington, DC wrote on May 4, 2024 at 10:04 AM

Mr. Donaldson,

Thank you for all the great music. I was born in 1996 in an Ohio suburb, some thirty years after the releases of Midnight Creeper, Alligator Boogaloo, Hot Dog, and the like. I only began listening to soul jazz in the past few years but your music is my favorite by far. I listen to hours of your stuff every week. I feel very fortunate to be able to give you your flowers, metaphorically and virtually, through this page. As you enjoy your much deserved retirement, I wish you good health and happiness.

Brady Horine

Donnell Word III from Cordova wrote on April 25, 2024 at 5:14 PM

Dr. Donaldson,
It is an honor to address you via email. Thank you for all you have contributed! I must have listened to A Night at Birdland Volume 2 like 100 times! Now I'm working on volume 1! Such a great legacy! You and the great Clifford Brown complemented each other perfectly! Your sound is warm, energetic, smooth and innovative. I believe you're my favorite sax player! I play trumpet. Thank you.

Mark S Mosley from Bangkok wrote on April 11, 2024 at 5:01 AM

Hello Lou..I enjoyef the two weeks we did in Spain furing my semester break at Morgan State University. Dven though I was your guitarist, i enjoyed drving us all over.Bith you and Lonnie shared info aboit some never publicized. That convinced me copying was a waste of time. Thanks.

Matthew Lonergan from Oxford Station, Ontario Canada wrote on March 27, 2024 at 6:38 PM

Hi Lou
I just bought your midnight creeper on vinyl.
I have most of your LP’s thanks to me father. He was a huge huge jazz fan and passed away 2019.
He got me into jazz and you are my favourite. My favourite piece is snake bone from say it out loud. Beautiful music
Thank you Mr Donaldson!
Matthew

Eric Gronneberg from Austin wrote on February 8, 2024 at 11:37 AM

Hey Lou,

I hope you’re doing well! I’m currently transcribing your solo on the song I don’t get around much anymore, from your album with Milt Jackson. I just wanted to tell you that you are a huge inspiration for me and I love listening to your recordings.

Thanks for all you’ve done,
Eric Gronneberg

Jaume Tauler from Barcelona wrote on November 5, 2023 at 3:08 PM

Dear Lou,
Happy birthday from Barcelona.
We love you and your music.
Lali & Jaume Tauler

Scott Foust from Amherst wrote on November 1, 2023 at 12:49 AM

Dear Lou,
Happy Birthday! I hope you are doing well. Every year on your birthday, my wife and I play through all your records we have, which is 22. Thanks for all the great music over the years. We just finished listening to Good Gracious. hot Dog is on now. Gravy Train to follow.

Scott

Andrew Fox from Manassas wrote on April 16, 2023 at 11:27 AM

Dear Lou,

I'm currently 58, and I've been a fan since my early twenties, when I first discovered BLUES WALK and shared it with my friends; they also became great fans. I had the pleasure of seeing you at a Jazz Fest appearance in the 1990s, and I enjoyed hearing your stories as much as listening to your playing. You are a funny guy, in addition to being an amazing musician!
You remain one of my great favorites and are my go-to guy for listening to on long drives. Your music is timeless and will never, ever go out of style. I am delighted you've enjoyed such a long life; I wish many more of your jazz contemporaries could have lived and remained active as long as you have. God bless you! And thank you for all the pleasure you've provided for me over the years.

Ianni Stammwitz from Kaiserslautern wrote on March 3, 2023 at 9:16 PM

Dear Lou Donaldson,

"Your magic music fills my heart with great delights,
let's it fly to the greatest heights,
to the stars that shine so bright.
Jazz is my love you did ignite."
- From the bottom of my heart

I am a 24 years old college student from germany and with this letter I want to express the infinite love I feel for you and your wonderful music.

I would like to thank you for all the countless hours filled with pure happiness, every minute of deepest affection, every second of true felicity, all the tears of joy and all the wonderful memories that are connected to your beautiful music.
I am endlessly grateful for every single time you and your saxophone put a big smile on my face.

Ever since the first bits of your magic sound wrapped my ears in a smooth pillow of heartfelt warmth and sincere tenderness, my yearning mind wandered from dream to dream, reaching enchanted worlds and new horizons never imagined before.

You made me pick up the Saxophone as a child and you manage to always put a smile on my face when I am feeling a bit down. Ever since I've heard your delightful music for the first time, I knew I would have found something to hold on for the rest of my life. You sparked the dream in me to one day study the Saxophone in college.

To conclude this letter I would like to tell you that encountering you and your wonderful music was the best thing that ever happened to me.

Thank you so infinitely much for everything and I wish you all the best,

Ianni

Berj Hatjian from Beirut wrote on February 14, 2023 at 10:52 AM

It was a true pleasure & an honour to have watched the Jazz-Giant LD. play at the North Sea Jazz Festival in either 1994 or 95.
His show was a BIG BANG at the Festival. He played flowfully & flawlessly.
There with my school friend "Najib" at the festival; we cordially took photos with the BIG Jazz MAMMOTH "The ONE & ONLY L.D."
With appreciation & respect from Beirut-Lebanon!
This is how far & diverse ur fan club is!
Blow more life into our souls.

Ruud Gosse from Breukelemn The Netherlands wrote on February 4, 2023 at 3:47 AM

Hi Lou,
During the past 30 years, but mainly in the period 1994-2001, I visited many jazz concerts in the Netherlands and in Ljubljana, Slovenia, with my analog photo camera. Recently I picked up my hobby again, with digital camera now.
I digitized my old negatives and published them with the new pictures on the internet: www.jazzfotos.nl. There are now more than 1.000!
It also contains photos of you that I took during your performance at the North Sea Jazz Festival in The Hague July 13th 1996.

(After clicking on your name, scroll down and you will see the pictures. When you click on “All” you will see all the pictures. The best result you get on the PC or Mac.
Are you interested in the (high resolution) files? Please let me know and I will send it to you free of charge via We Transfer.
Ruud Gosse, Breukelen - NL

Jordan Hutcherson from Myrtle Beach, SC wrote on January 21, 2023 at 1:40 PM

Dear Lou Donaldson,
You've been an inspiration for me since I started playing Alto sax in 2018. Your solo on Night Train was the first that I ever picked out by ear! It's still a part of me and I'm very thankful for your music! Have a great year!
Best wishes from a freshman college student,
Jordan Hutcherson

Danyel from Wiesbaden, Germany wrote on December 29, 2022 at 10:02 AM

Sir! Happy holidays and a great new year, strutting on your own Boulevard!
Yours sincerely,
Danyel nicholas (one of legions of reed men forever in awe of your alto work)

Nareg Boghosian from Alexandria, Virginia wrote on November 26, 2022 at 11:56 PM

I am a 19 year old guitarist studying jazz at George Mason University in the VA/ DC. I’ve been having fun learning your solos, even the earlier ones from A Night At Birdland. Thanks for your contribution to this music.
-Nareg Boghosian

Elizabeth Slater from Toulouse, France wrote on November 6, 2022 at 5:26 AM

Bon Anniversaire, Sweet Poppa Lou!

John Salvas from Oldsmar wrote on November 1, 2022 at 5:28 PM

Happy Birthday, Sweet Poppa Lou!

Elizabeth Slater from Claremont, NH wrote on October 3, 2022 at 12:29 PM

Dear Mr. Donaldson,

I have been thinking of writing to you since the Newport Jazz Festival July 28-30. Please accept my apologies for not writing sooner. It was amazing show. Christen McBride reverently carries the torch and the tradition of Newport Jazz onward in tribute to Mr. George Wein, who will be much missed. My first Newport Jazz festival was 1981. I was 15 years old, and I was huge Dave Brubeck fan. I saw him play that day, along with Dizzy Gillespie, Nancy Wilson and Lionel Hampton. Looking back, I can’t express how thankful I was to see these performers or how sad I am to have not seen you play in 2015. This morning, as I was checking the Jazz at Lincoln Center website and Lo and Behold- there you were! A celebration up at Dizzy’s Club in honor of your 96th birthday and a tribute to of all the incredible music you have given us over the years! Congratulations, Mr. Donaldson! Never doubt that we are still listening to “Sweet Poppa Lou” now and always.

Best wishes,
Elizabeth

Scott Foust from Amherst wrote on September 9, 2022 at 1:10 AM

Hello Mr Donaldson,
I'm only 65 and have been a musician most of my life. Most of the music I have done is of the New Music variety. About 15 years ago, I got really into 50s Jazz, and, of course, your music. I just saw that you were still alive and wanted to say thanks for all the great music. My favorite records are probably Blues Walk, Here 'Tis, and Jimmy Smith + LD. I hope you are doing well. I salute you!

Scott

John Salvas from Oldsmar wrote on September 7, 2022 at 10:52 PM

Mr. Donaldson, I am new to the world of Jazz. It only took me 50 years to find this wonderful style of music. I recently purchased a copy of your album "Blues Walk" and it instantly became one of my favorites. "Blues Walk" is the first album that comes to mind when I am discussing Jazz with others. Thank you for this gift. I look forward to exploring your other recordings. Could you tell me which album of yours you would suggest I listen to next? I would consider it an honor to follow your suggestion. Take care.

Colin Thorn from Varese, Italy wrote on August 9, 2022 at 5:30 PM

Thank you Lou for your wonderful, joyful playing. You are truly a blessed musician. I first heard you nearly 40 years ago, when I was still practically a kid, on a Blue Note anniversary compilation, a track called Peepin'. Absolutely beautiful and as funky as anything I've ever heard before or since. Still digging youe considerable output in 2022.

FANBOOK

WRITE A TRIBUTE TO SWEET POPPA LOU!