RUFFIN: NOW, A JAZZ MOMENT

Cool Blues by Lou

RUFFIN: ALTO SAXOPHONIST AND NEA JAZZ MASTER LOU DONALDSON STILL COUNTS SITTING IN WITH THE LEGENDARY CHARLIE "BIRD” PARKER AS A STANDOUT MOMENT IN HIS CAREER.

LOU DONALDSON.

DONALDSON: Actually, he came down to Paradise Club on 110th Street and Eighth Avenue. And the manager wanted him to play. And he said, "Okay.” So he came up to play, and like everybody was there. So everybody left the stand. In fact, I was leaving, too, and he said, "No. You stay and play with me.” And I said "Oh, no. It's not going to be, not like that.” He said, "Yeah,” he said. And then he told the manager he said, "If Lou doesn't play, I'm not gonna play.” So the manager made me play with him. That's the only reason you see me standing up there.

Cool Blues by Lou

RUFFIN: THIS JAZZ MOMENT WITH ALTO SAXOPHONIST LOU DONALDSON WAS PRODUCED BY THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS.
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Excerpt of "Cool Blues” composed by Charlie Parker and performed by Lou Donaldson on the album, Here ‘Tis, used courtesy of Blue Note / EMI Capitol and by permission of Songs of Universal (BMI).