Sam Donahue

Samuel Koontz Donahue (March 18, 1918 – March 22, 1974)[1] was an American jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, and musical arranger. He performed with Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Billy May, Woody Herman, and Stan Kenton.[2]

Sam Donahue
At the Aquarium in New York City, c. December 1946
Background information
Birth nameSamuel Koontz Donahue
Born(1918-03-18)March 18, 1918
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
DiedMarch 22, 1974(1974-03-22) (aged 56)
Reno, Nevada, U.S.
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
InstrumentsSaxophone, trumpet

Biography

Donahue was born Detroit, Michigan, United States. He played in the bands of Gene Krupa, Harry James, and Benny Goodman.[1] During World War II, Donahue took over the Navy band of Artie Shaw, and after the war he assembled and led a group that recorded for Capitol Records.[3]

He was married to actress Patricia Donahue, and was the father of guitarist Jerry Donahue who played on the album, Fotheringay 2.[4]

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.[5]

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

With others

References
  1. Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. pp. 715/6. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. Carr, Ian; Digby Fairweather; Brian Priestley (1995). Jazz: The Rough Guide. The Rough Guides. pp. 175–176. ISBN 1-85828-137-7.
  3. Vera, Billy (2000). From the Vaults Vol. 3: Capitol Jumps (CD). Hollywood: Capitol Records. p. 6.
  4. "2 - Fotheringay | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  5. "Big Band Library: Sam Donahue: "No Other Life of Which I'm Fonder"". Bigbandlibrary.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
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