Lou donaldson biography

American saxophonist (1926–2024)

Musical artist

Louis Andrew Donaldson Jr. (November 1, 1926 – November 9, 2024) was an American jazz alto saxophonist.

Lou donaldson sunny side up

He was best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, as were many during the bebop era.^[1]

Early life

Donaldson was born in Badin, North Carolina, on November 1, 1926.^[2][1] He attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro^[3] in the early 1940s.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was trained at the Great Lakes bases in Chicago where he was introduced to bop music in the lively club scene.

Career

At the war's conclusion, Donaldson returned to Greensboro, where he worked club dates with the Rhythm Vets, a combo composed of A and T students who had served in the U.S.

Navy. The band recorded the