Lou Takes Off

by Lou Donaldson

Overview

The influence of Charlie Parker can be heard in virtually every modern jazz musician, particularly players of the alto saxophone. Although considered to be one of "Bird's children," Lou Donaldson absorbed and synthesized other pre-Parker influences, such as Johnny Hodges and Benny Carter. This recording marks a period in his development prior to a stylistic shift away from bop and toward a stronger rhythm and blues emphasis. Three up-tempo tunes are pure bebop; the remaining number is a medium blues in B flat, quite characteristic of the hard bop period. The front line on this set includes Donald Byrd and Curtis Fuller; the rhythm section is Sonny Clark, George Joyner, and Art Taylor. Overall, Lou Takes Off breaks no new musical ground, but it is a solid, swinging session of high-caliber playing. [An edition remastered by Rudy Van Gelder was issued in 2008.] ~ Lee Bloom

Product Details

Release Date:	02/10/2023
Label:	Audio Wave
UPC:	0693692200164
Rank:	61110

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Lou Donaldson   Primary Artist,Sax (Alto)
Donald Byrd   Trumpet
Art Taylor   Drums
Curtis Fuller   Trombone
Sonny Clark   Piano
Jamil Nasser   Bass
George Joyner   Bass

Technical Credits

Lou Donaldson   Composer
Alfred Lion   Producer
Bob Blumenthal   Liner Notes
Gordon H. Jee   Reissue Director
Amanda Wray   Reissue Design
Michael Cuscuna   Reissue Producer
Rudy Van Gelder   Remastering,Engineer
Charlie Parker   Composer
Francis Wolff   Photography,Cover Photo
Dizzy Gillespie   Composer