Lou Donaldson (born November 1, 1926) is a jazz alto saxophonist. He is best known for his soulful, bluesy approach to playing the alto saxophone, although in his formative years he was, as many were of the bebop era, heavily influenced by Charlie Parker. Donaldson was born in Badin, North Carolina. He attended North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro in the early 1940s. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was trained at the Great Lakes bases in Chicago, where he was introduced to bop music in the lively club scene there. Donaldson's early Blue Note recordings were pure bop. In 1958, he began often utilizing a conga player, and starting in 1961, his bands often had an organist rather than a pianist. His bluesy style was easily transferable to soul-jazz, and he sounded most original in that context. In 1953, he also recorded sessions with the trumpet virtuoso Clifford Brown, and Philly Joe Jones. He was a member of Art Blakey's Quintet and appeared on some of their best regarded albums, including the two albums recorded at Birdland in February 1954 Night at Birdland. His association with Blue Note (1952 - 1963) was succeeded by some excellent (if now-scarce) sets for Cadet and Argo (1963 - 1966). The altoist returned to Blue Note in 1967 and soon became caught up in the increasingly commercial leanings of the label. For a time, he utilized an electronic Varitone sax, which completely watered down his sound. The album Say It Loud! was recorded for the Blue Note label in 1968 and featuring Donaldson with Blue Mitchell, Charles Earland, Jimmy Ponder, and Leo Morris.«The title of Say It Loud! is taken from James Brown's anthem «Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud», the R&B/funk classic that Lou Donaldson covers on this album. Instead of providing a thematic and musical touchstone for the rest of the record, the song is an attempt to prove that Donaldson is still on top of musical trends, but the lazy groove he and his band - trumpeter Blue Mitchell, guitarist Jimmy Ponder, organist Charles Earland, drummer Leo Morris - work up shows they're not quite comfortable with this contemporary funk. They sound much more at ease with standards like «Summertime» and «Caravan», which give them a chance to stretch out, even if they are arranged like commercially oriented soul - jazz. Nevertheless, their simple presence on the album puts the stiffness of Donaldson's groove - oriented soul - jazz in sharper relief». (AllMusic Review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine)Lou Donaldson ‎– Say It Loud! [1969] (Full Album)Tracklist:A1. Say It Loud I'm Black And Proud (Written By James Brown) - 7:18A2. Summertime (Written By Gershwin) - 5:45A3. Caravan (Written By Ellington, Tizol) - 5:10B1. Snake Bone (Written By Lou Donaldson) - 9:30B2. Brother Soul (Written By Lou Donaldson) - 7:57Drums: Leo Morris/Guitar: Jimmy PonderLacquer Cut By: VAN GELDER/Organ: Charles EarlandProducer: Francis Wolff/Recorded By: Rudy Van Gelder/Saxophone: Lou DonaldsonTrumpet: Blue Mitchell/Label variation of Lou Donaldson - Say It Loud!. Also, this pressing has "VAN GELDER" in the runoff.---✧ Fira ✧---