I remember growing up
listening to a lot of Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds. My parents were
always playing his songs. If we were at home or driving in the car
listen to him on 8 tracks songs like “Flight Time”, “Think
Twice”, “Places and spaces out there”, “Slow Drag”, “Sky
High”, “Witch Hunt”, "You And The Music", “We're
Together”, “Rock Creek Park”, “Black Byrd”, “Walking In
Rhythm” and “(Falling Like) Dominoes” the list goes on. Donald
Byrd’s music has been sampled by rappers. When I hear youngster
today, that hear a Donald Byrd song for the first time and say, he got that
from so and so. It gives me great pleasure to say learn your history.
Born in Detroit, Michigan
on December 9, 1932 Donaldson Toussaint L’Ouverture Byrd II is an
American jazz, rhythm and blues trumpeter. Donald Byrd had a gift at
an early age. Before finishing high school he was performing with
Lionel Hampton. Donald played in the military band, throughout his
term in the United States Air Force. He is an educated man as well.
He attended Wayne State University where he obtained a bachelor’s
degree in music. He also received a master’s degree at
Manhattan School of Music.
Donald
Byrd had the foresight to moves away from hard-bop jazz base and
began to record jazz fusion and rhythm and blues. Donald Byrd is
known to be the pioneer jazz, funk and soul sound of the 1970s. That
is when Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds were born. I think this was
fantastic move. This was one of the great jazz/funk bands in the
1970s. I count myself blessed to have grown up listening to this
amazing music and this great man. You can listen to songs from
Donald Byrd on Streetwise Radio. You can also listen to Streetwise
Radio on iTunes, Pandora MyGen365, Live365 and Athena365.
LM
