November 11 – American saxophonist Lou Donaldson, one of the last remaining links to the bebop era of jazz music in the 1950s who developed a soul and Latin-inspired sound in the following decades, dies at age 98 Done.

His death on Saturday was announced by family members in a statement, who said “his great contribution to jazz will live on forever” because of the support of his fans.

Donaldson’s best-known songs include “Blues Walk” and “Alligator Boogaloo” and he recorded with such greats as pianist Thelonious Monk, drummer Art Blakey and organist Jimmy Smith.

He was a band leader for seven decades and earned himself the nickname “Sweet Poppa Lou” for his upbeat, funky sound on the alto sax.

Songs such as their version of “Everything I Do Gonna Be Funky” remain dance-floor staples in jazz clubs around the world.

Born on November 1, 1926, Donaldson learned to play the clarinet while growing up in Badin, a town in North Carolina. He played the instrument and saxophone in the US Navy Band in the 1940s, before moving to New York in the 1950s and hearing Charlie Parker in the clubs.

After working on a Parker-style album with vibes player Milt Jackson he made his own records for the Blue Note label, which offered early breaks to musicians who became big names in jazz, including Donald Byrd and Horace Silver. Were included.

This was followed by a tour of Europe and Donaldson toured the United States with his band. He exhibited in New York until the age of 80 and retired in 2018.

He was married to his wife Maker for 56 years until her death in 2006. The couple had two daughters.

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