Lou Donaldson

Lou Donaldson, Support:  Monday 28th May - Wednesday 30th May Ticket Prices: £25.00 - £40.00 Venue: Ronnie Scotts Club, Frith Street, London Doors open time First House 18:00

 Lou Donaldson (Saxophone), Randy Johnston (Guitar), Akiko Tsuruga (Hammond organ), and Fukushi Tainaka (Drums)

A true jazz legend, alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson was acclaimed from the mid-fifties onwards as taking forward the sound and concept of that other alto saxophone legend Charlie Parker. From the noteworthy live debut of Jazz Messengers ‘A Night at Birdland’ where he shared frontline duties with trumpeter Clifford Brown through the bluesy sixties Blue Note sessions in collaboration with organist Dr Lonnie Smith and arriving at the cohesive quartet he leads today, his jazz credentials to groove and swing are impeccable.
Sat 13th - Sun 14th Feb

Lou Donaldson Short Bio

“Sweet Poppa Lou” Donaldson is one of the greatest alto saxophonists of all time.  His dazzling technique and instantly identifiable style can be heard on dozens of spirited sets through the years.  He first recorded with Blue Note as a leader in 1952, and already at age 25 he had found his sound, although it would continue to grow in depth through the years.  In the 50s he made a string of excellent records for Blue Note with many musicians who made their first records as sidemen for Donaldson: Horace Silver, Clifford Brown, Grant Green, Blue Mitchell, Donald Byrd, Horace Parlan, and others.  After some excellent sets for Cadet and Argo in the early 60s, his return to Blue Note in 1967 was marked by one of his most famous recordings, “Alligator Boogaloo.”

Now past the 80-year mark, Lou continues to play at his very best, entertaining audiences worldwide with his spirited performances that are always soulful, thoroughly swinging, and steeped in the blues.  Donaldson was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Letters by North Carolina A&T University and a scholarship was established in his name that is awarded to the most gifted jazz musician at North Carolina A&T University each year. He was inducted into the International Jazz Hall of Fame and is the recipient of countless other honors and awards for his outstanding contributions to jazz.