Soulful and bluesy alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson was born November 1, 1926 in North Carolina. After attending college, Donaldson enlisted in the United States navy during World War II and was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Station near Chicago. While there he was introduced to the emerging bebop style. After the war Donaldson returned to his native state and played with various groups in the Greenville area, including one made up of Navy veterans.

Donaldson’s first recordings were made with vibraphonist Milt Jackson and pianist Thelonious Monk in 1952. His first album as a leader was recorded that same year but not released until 1957 on the Blue Note label. He would go on to record more than forty albums as a leader. Donaldson also regularly played with played with Clifford Brown, Blue Mitchell, Horace Silver and was a member of the Art Blakey Quintet for a time.

Donaldson retired from performing in 2018 and passed away from pneumonia at a hospital in Florida on November 9, 2024.

Here is a link to one of Lou Donaldson in performance:

"BLUES WALK"