Lou Donaldson

Alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson has gained many young fans who have responded to his groove-oriented soul jazz and funk records. But Donaldson was good at many things, from bop to proto R&B, to the bluesy, uptown balladry featured here. On Lush Life, Duke Pearson's subtle horn charts guide his crew (which includes Wayne Shorter, McCoy Tyner, Freddie Hubbard, Pepper Adams and Ron Carter!) on make-out perennials. Ironically, the Billy Strayhorn tune that gives this collection its name is not included on the set.