Lou Donaldson, born in Badin, NC, on November 1, 1926, is a legendary retired jazz alto saxophonist known for his soulfu...

Lou Donaldson, born in Badin, NC, on November 1, 1926, is a legendary retired jazz alto saxophonist known for his soulful, bluesy style. Influenced by Charlie Parker during the bebop era, Donaldson made his mark with collaborations alongside jazz greats like Milt Jackson and Thelonious Monk, and his iconic 1954 A Night at Birdland sessions with Art Blakey. His work has been widely sampled, including tracks like "Pot Belly," his covers of "Ode to Billie Joe," and "It's Your Thing." Inducted into the NC Music Hall of Fame in 2012 and named an NEA Jazz Master the same year, Donaldson retired in 2018, with a special 95th birthday tribute held in 2021. Image: By Marek Lazarski Alt text: A man playing a saxophone.