Song:Blues Walk
Album:The Artist Selects
I get asked all the time about jazz and who folks should check out as an introduction to jazz. Alto sax legend Lou Donaldson has a very smooth and accessible style and the great thing is he's over 80 and still kickin' it. He was born Nov. 1, 1926 in Badin, NC. He started out playing clarinet and switched to alto sax. He received a Bachelor Of Science degree at North Carolina A & T College and was drafted into the US Navy in 1945. Donaldson had heard Charles Parker on a trip to Chicago and decided to emulate his style. He played in local Greensboro bands after leaving the Navy. He sat in with Illinois Jacquet when he came through town and drummer Poppa Joe Jones suggested that Donaldon move to New York City. Donaldson signed with Blue Note in 1952 and a 1954 recording with Art Blakey got him a lot of attention. Donaldson also played for a while in Thelonious Monk's band but he has recorded mostly as a leader since 1955. Blues Walk was recorded in 1958 and is one of his best albums with Herman Foster on piano, Peck Morrison on bass, Dave Bailey on drums and Ray Baretto on congas. Donaldson continued to record his blues based jazz through the 60s and even had a minor mainstream hit with Alligator Boogaloo in 1967. The 2005 The Artist Selects comp is great for beginners and the music was selected by Lou Donaldson. He left Blue Note in 1974 and continues to tour today with a quartet featuring guitarist Randy Johnston. His most recent CD is Relaxing At Sea Live On The QE2 released by Chiroscuro in Nov. 2000. Here's Lou Donaldson performing Blues Walk with Randy Johnston & Lonnie Smith on a 2004 French TV show. He still sounds great.
Defshepard here, thanks-you so much Frank. I am going to get even more into Jazz. As I get older I like the music even more. I don't know why exactly, but i am defintely getting into it more and more!! Thanks for all the great advice and music!!!!
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