Sam Donahue

Sam Donahue
at the Aquarium New York City, c. December 1946
Background information
Birth name	Samuel Koontz Donahue
Born	(1918-03-18)March 18, 1918 Detroit
Died	March 22, 1974(1974-03-22) (aged 56)
Instruments	tenor saxophonist

Sam Donahue (18 March 1918 – 22 March 1974) was an American swing music jazz tenor saxophonist, trumpeter and musical arranger. Born in Detroit, Michigan, he is known for his work with Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman, Billy May, Woody Herman, Stan Kenton, among many others.

Donahue was born Samuel Koontz Donahue in Detroit. He played in the bands of Gene Krupa, Harry James, and Benny Goodman. During World War II, Donahue took over the Navy band of Artie Shaw, and after the war he assembled and led a group that had several successful recordings for Capitol Records.

He is the father of guitarist Jerry Donahue and plays sax on the Fotheringay 2 album.

With Stan Kenton