One of the top female avant-garde trumpeters of all time, Barbara Donald had a powerful and explorative style. She was best known for playing with altoist Sonny Simmons (her husband at the time) during 1963-1972. She also recorded a couple of impressive efforts for Cadence in the early '80s. However, after suffering several strokes in the '90s, she largely stepped away from performing. In 2013, Donald passed away at the age of 70. Two years later, the archival 1991 live album Reincarnation, featuring Donald performing alongside Simmons, appeared on Arhoolie. ~ Scott Yanow, Rovi