Sam Donahue
Samuel Koontz Donahue (March 18, 1918 – March 22, 1974) was an American jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, and musical arranger. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he performed with Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Billy May, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton.[1]
Sam Donahue | |
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At the Aquarium in New York City, c. December 1946 | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Samuel Koontz Donahue |
Born | Detroit, Michigan | March 18, 1918
Died | March 22, 1974 56) Reno, Nevada | (aged
Genres | Jazz |
Occupation(s) | Musician |
Instruments | Saxophone, trumpet |
Biography
Donahue was born in Detroit. He played in the bands of Gene Krupa, Harry James, and Benny Goodman. During World War II, Donahue took over the Navy band of Artie Shaw, and after the war he assembled and led a group that had several successful recordings for Capitol Records.[2]
He was married to actress Patricia Donahue and was the father of guitarist Jerry Donahue and played on the album Fotheringay 2
His compositions included "Quiet and Roll 'Em" with Gene Krupa, "Convoy" released as V-Disc No. 610B, "LST Party", which was released as a V-Disc as No. 573A in January, 1946, with the Navy Dance Band, "Scuttlin'", "Love Scene", "Please Get Us Out", "Root Toot", "Constellation", "Conversation at Lindy's", "Saxa-Boogie", and "Saxophone Sam".
Donahue died from pancreatic cancer on March 22, 1974.
Discography
As leader
- For Young Moderns in Love (Capitol, 1954)
- Dance Date With Sam Donahue (Remington, 1957)
- Stop Look Go And Listen To Sam Donahue (Prescott, 1958)
- Convoy (Hep, 1974)
As sideman
With Stan Kenton
- Adventures in Jazz (Capitol, 1961)
- Kenton's West Side Story (Capitol, 1961)
- The Romantic Approach (Capitol, 1961)
- Sophisticated Approach (Capitol, 1962)
- Adventures in Blues (Capitol, 1963)
- Together Again (First Heard, 1982)
- Mellophonium Magic (Status, 1989)
- Cuban Fire! (Capitol, 1991)
With others
- Will Bradley/Johnny Guarnieri, Live Echoes of the Best in Big Band Boogie (RCA Camden, 1974)
- Cab Calloway, Hi De Hi De Ho (RCA, 1982)
- Woody Herman, The Herd Rides Again (Everest, 1958)
- Gene Krupa, Gene Krupa's Sidekicks (Columbia, 1955)
- Vic Lewis, Volume 1: The War Years (Harlequin, 1986)
References
- Carr, Ian; Digby Fairweather; Brian Priestley (1995). Jazz: The Rough Guide. The Rough Guides. pp. 175–176. ISBN 1-85828-137-7.
- Vera, Billy (2000). From the Vaults Vol. 3: Capitol Jumps (CD). Hollywood: Capitol Records. p. 6.