Jazz and Hip-Hop Mourn: Lou Donaldson, Sampled by Rap Greats, and Roy Haynes Pass Away in the Same Week

Photo by Brian McMillen 

Legendary jazz drummer Roy Haynes performing at the KJAZ Festival at Davies Symphony Hall in San Francisco, 1981.

In just a matter of days, the jazz world has lost two of its most beloved icons: drummer Roy Haynes and alto saxophonist Lou Donaldson. Their passing marks the end of eras defined by their immense contributions to jazz—the music they lived for and reshaped for generations.

Roy Haynes, one of the most recorded drummers in jazz, died on November 12, 2024, at the age of 99. His daughter, Leslie Haynes-Gilmore, confirmed that he passed away peacefully at home after a short illness, as reported by The New York Times.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of drummer Roy Haynes.

In a career lasting over 80 years, Haynes has influenced and innovated, shaping some of the greatest recordings in jazz while altering the very fabric and direction of jazz improvisation with his mercurial,… pic.twitter.com/fqGhVicUUO

— The Jazz Estate (@thejazzestate) November 12, 2024

Haynes was a pioneer whose career spanned more than 70 years. He played alongside legends like John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Ella Fitzgerald. Known for his distinctive style, Haynes was celebrated not only as a sideman but as a prolific bandleader. His groups, including the Hip Ensemble and the Roy Haynes Trio, set a standard for modern jazz, pushing rhythmic boundaries and inspiring countless musicians.

Yesterday the legendary Roy Haynes passed away at age 99…

He was among the most recorded drummers in jazz. In a career lasting over 80 years, he played swing, bebop, jazz fusion, and avant-garde jazz. He is considered to have been a pioneer of jazz drumming…

In this clip we… pic.twitter.com/n99q789jjy

— Melodies & Masterpieces (@SVG__Collection) November 13, 2024

He earned multiple Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012. In 1996, France's Ministry of Culture named him a Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, recognizing his significant contributions to the arts. In 2010, he received the Jazz Living Legacy Award at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Just days earlier, the jazz community mourned another loss: Lou Donaldson, who passed away on November 9, 2024, at the age of 98. His family shared the news of his death on his official website, noting that a private service would be held.

Legendary saxophonist Lou Donaldson has passed away at age 98. He became a Blue Note fixture after playing on Milt Jackson & Thelonious Monk sessions in 1952 & soon began his own 20+ year run of leader albums spanning bebop, hard bop, soul jazz & jazz funk https://t.co/meFtgMrugL pic.twitter.com/p37VFjz9Ha

— Blue Note Records (@bluenoterecords) November 11, 2024

A native of North Carolina, Donaldson was known for his warm, fluid saxophone sound that bridged bebop, blues, and soul. He pioneered the soul-jazz movement of the 1960s, bringing jazz to broader audiences through accessible melodies, blues influences and groovy rhythms. Unlike many of his peers, Donaldson embraced groove-driven playing that connected deeply with mainstream listeners, helping popularize jazz beyond its traditional boundaries.

His recordings, like "Alligator Boogaloo," epitomized this blend of jazz improvisation and infectious grooves that resonated far beyond jazz clubs. He emerged in the post-World War II scene, collaborating with luminaries like Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and George Benson. Donaldson’s influence also extended beyond jazz, with his work sampled by hip-hop artists including Kanye West, Nas and De La Soul. Among his notable recordings were "Alligator Boogaloo" and the 1958 track "Blues Walk," which he often performed as his theme song.

Lou Donaldson, #NCAT grad, influenced decades of hip hop.He’s been sampled more than 200 times by artists like Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth, A Tribe Called Quest, Mary J Blige, ASAP ROCKY, Nas, De La Soul, & Drake. #BlackMusicMonth #AggiesDo https://t.co/KeewB4mWCf

— F.D. Bluford Library (@blufordlibrary) June 5, 2023

Jazz writer Mark Stryker summed up the recent losses, stating, “Tough nine days for the music: Quincy Jones, 91; George Bohanon, 87; Lou Donaldson, 98; Roy Haynes, 99. Yes — all especially long and well-lived lives. Still, that’s 375 years of combined wisdom and history leaving the planet.”

Haynes and Donaldson not only defined their sound but also nurtured that of future generations. Haynes mentored younger musicians, sharing his rhythmic insights, while Donaldson—affectionately known as “Sweet Poppa Lou”—helped bring artists like Clifford Brown and Horace Silver into the spotlight. In 2013, the National Endowment for the Arts named Donaldson a Jazz Master, the highest honor in American jazz, recognizing his impact on the genre.