Lou Donaldson, Alto Saxophone Master and 'Alligator Bogaloo' Hitmaker, Dies at 98

Donaldson enjoyed several hits, including covers of "Ode to Billie Joe" and "It's Your Thing"

Lou Donaldson, acclaimed jazz alto saxophonist, died over the weekend according to a statement from his family. He was 98.

A pop-up statement on Donaldson's website reads, "The Family of Sweet Poppa Lou Donaldson sadly confirms his death on November 9, 2024. A private service will be held.Thank you for your support of Lou and his music throughout his career. Because of you, his legendary contributions to Jazz will live on forever."

Donaldson was born in Badin, North Carolina on Nov. 1, 1926. After being introduced to bebop music during his time in the Navy during World War II, he embarked on a career as a saxophonist. Some of his earliest recordings were with prominent jazz musicians such as Milt Jackson, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and more.

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Over the course of his 50-plus-year career, Donaldson was revered for his thoughtful, bluesy approach to the alto saxophone. His unique style earned him several hits, such as his renowned cover of Bobbie Gentry's 1967 single "Ode to Billie Joe," a blues-country song about the suicide of a rural Mississippi boy.

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Donaldson's rendition of Gentry's song earned its place in the pop music canon and has been sampled over 200 times, notably in Kanye West's "Jesus Walks," A Tribe Called Quest's "Clap Your Hands" and A$AP Rocky's "L$D." Some of his other recordings, like "Pot Belly" and his instrumental cover of The Isley Brothers' "It's Your Thing," have been sampled by De La Soul, Amy Winehouse, Dr. Dre and more.

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The saxophonist announced his retirement in 2018 at 92 after remaining a regular at jazz festivals and clubs, especially around New York City. Up until shortly before his death, Donaldson would still celebrate his birthday at these clubs, especially Dizzy's Jazz Club in New York. He had planned to celebrate his 98th but canceled due to a bout of pneumonia a little over a week prior to his death.

Donaldson was married to his hometown sweetheart Maker Neal Turner from 1950 until her death in 2006. The couple also shared two children, Lydia Tutt-Jones, who died in 1994, and his surviving daughter Carol.