Roy Haynes, Brian Charette, Milt Jackson & Lou Donaldson

Episode 882 takes a soulful turn as we honor the towering legacy of the late alto saxophone legend Lou Donaldson, who recently passed away at the age of 98. A true giant of jazz, Lou left an indelible mark on the genre, and in this episode, we pay tribute to his extraordinary life and music. We open the hour with tracks from his iconic 1962 LP Gravy Train, a record full of timeless grooves, before diving into selections from his final release, Late Night, issued in 2024. Along the way, we revisit highlights from an unforgettable 2014 interview with Neon Jazz, where Lou shared well earned wisdom and stories that resonate well. From there, we journey through the music of jazz greats who shaped or shared the stage with Lou—icons like Charlie Parker, Milt Jackson, Clifford Brown, and Miles Davis. Their influence reverberates in his work, and their music adds depth to this tribute. To keep the jazz conversation alive, we spotlight modern talents carrying the torch forward, featuring fresh releases by Brian Charette, Steve Feifke, Stan Harrison, John Hollenbeck, and Adrian Cunningham. We close the hour on a poignant note, bidding farewell to another jazz titan, drummer Roy Haynes, whose contributions to the art form are equally monumental. Settle in for an hour steeped in reflection, celebration, and the undeniable magic of jazz. Let's dig in, my friends.

Playlist

• Lou Donaldson "Avalon" Gravy Train (Blue Note) 0:00
• Host talks 4:38
• Lou Donaldson "Blue Moon" Late Night (UMG) 7:53
• Milt Jackson "Bossa Bags" On Riverside (Riverside) 10:53
• Host talks 13:39
• Charlie Parker "My Heart Tells Me" Bird in Kansas City Live (Verve) 15:11
• Clifford Brown "Minor Mood" Memorial Album (Blue Note) 18:16
• Host talks 22:44
• Miles Davis "Love Me or Leave Me" MILES '54—The Prestige Recordings (Prestige) 23:17
• Brian Charette "Early America" You Don't Know Jack (Cellar Live) 30:10
• Host talks 35:17
• Steven Feifke "I've Got Rhythm" Role of the Rhythm Section Vol. II (La Reserve Records) 35:56
• Stan Harrison "What's Left Unsaid" Some Poor Soul Has a Fire (Adhyaropa Records) 40:33
• Host talks 45:16
• John Hollenbeck & NDR Bigband "Pure Poem" Colouring Hockets (Flexatonic Records) 46:24
• Adrian Cunningham "Free Flight" It's About Time (Arbors Records) 49:44
• Host talks 52:1`4
• Roy Haynes "As Long As There's Music" Just Us (Prestige) 53:22