Sam Donahue

Samuel Koontz Donahue (March 18, 1918 – March 22, 1974)[1] was an American jazz saxophonist, trumpeter, musical arranger and occasional valve trombonist. 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 in 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 US Navy band of Artie Shaw. After the war, he assembled and led a group that recorded for Capitol Records.[3] Trumpeters Harry Gozzard and Doc Severinsen, Wayne Herdell, arranger Leo Reisman and vocalists Frances Wayne and Jo Stafford were some of the members included in the new band. It dissolved in 1951 when Donahue re-enlisted in the Navy to serve in the Korean War.[4]

He was married to actress Patricia Donahue, and was the father of guitarist Jerry Donahue who played on the album, Fotheringay 2.[5]

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.[6]

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. "IMDB".
  5. "2 - Fotheringay | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  6. "Big Band Library: Sam Donahue: "No Other Life of Which I'm Fonder"". Bigbandlibrary.com. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
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