Bobby Donaldson

Robert Stanley "Bobby" Donaldson (November 29, 1922, Boston – 1971) was an American jazz and R&B drummer.

After playing locally in the early 1940s, Donaldson played with Russell Procope while serving in the Army in New York City. In 1946–47 Donaldson worked with Cat Anderson, and following this played with Edmond Hall, Andy Kirk, Lucky Millinder, Buck Clayton, Red Norvo, and Sy Oliver/Louis Armstrong. He was a prolific session musician for much of the 1950s and 1960s, playing with Helen Merrill, Ruby Braff, Mel Powell, Benny Goodman, Count Basie, Bobby Jaspar, Herbie Mann, André Hodeir, Kenny Burrell, Lonnie Johnson, Frank Wess, Willis Jackson, and Johnny Hodges.

Early in his career he played with the Boston Symphony.

Birth and Death Data: Born November 29, 1922 (Boston), Died July 2, 1971

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1952 - 1956

Roles Represented in DAHR: drums

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Decca 83301 8/25/1952 I laughed at love Louis Armstrong instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 83302 8/25/1952 Takes two to tango Louis Armstrong instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84721 6/16/1953 I'm goin' home Freddie Mitchell Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84722 6/16/1953 Blowin' mighty Freddie Mitchell Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84723 6/16/1953 Roses of Picardy Freddie Mitchell Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 84724 6/16/1953 Slow blues Freddie Mitchell Orchestra instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89415 2/23/1956 Don't you weep, O Mary don't you weep Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89416 2/23/1956 I've done wrong Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89417 2/23/1956 I can hear the angels Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, drums  
Decca 89418 2/23/1956 Father prepare me Sister Rosetta Tharpe instrumentalist, drums  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Donaldson, Bobby," accessed March 29, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/312590.

Donaldson, Bobby. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/312590.

"Donaldson, Bobby." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 29 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/312590

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