Lou Donaldson, jazz saxophonist who blended many influences, dead at 98

NEW YORK (AP) — Celebrated jazz saxophonist Lou Donaldson has died at the age of 98. Donaldson was known for his warm, fluid style and performed with everyone from Thelonius Monk to George Benson and was sampled by Nas, De La Soul and other hip-hop artists. Over more than half a century, he blended soul, blues and pop and achieved some mainstream recognition with his 1967 cover of one of the biggest hits of the time, “Ode to Billy Joe,” featuring a young Benson on guitar. His notable albums included “Alligator Bogaloo,” “Lou Donaldson at His Best” and “Wailing With Lou.”