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:	08/25/2023
Label:	Imports
UPC:	3700477835569

Album Credits

Performance Credits

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

Technical Credits

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