Lou Donaldson

Lou Donaldson was an excellent bop altoist influenced by Charlie Parker, but with a more blues-based style of his own. His distinctive tone was heard in a variety of small-group settings, and he recorded dozens of worthy and spirited (if somewhat predictable) sets throughout the years. Donaldson started playing clarinet when he was 15, soon switching to the alto. He attended college and performed in a Navy band while in the military. Donaldson first gained attention when he moved to New York, and he started recording for Blue Note as a leader in 1952. At the age of 25, his s...