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Donald Byrd


I recall reading a thread written by a young man who came into possession of a large collection of Donald Byrd records under very sad circumstances, his father had passed.

Although he was sad, he shared with us how incredible this new music was that he had inherited. He renewed my enthusiasm for Donald Byrd. Me and Donald go back a long way, all the way back to my beginning as a jazz fan. I consider him one of the "giants of jazz", and I bet even the Rok will agree on that.

True jazz giants continually evolve, and Donald's evolution is well established in my collection. He began with "hard bop", and next was "A New Perspective/ Donald Byrd band and voices", this was a big hit at that time. Although I liked every cut on that LP, "Christo Redentor" was my favorite.

Donald Byrd & the Blackbirds was his next stage of evolution. This time he featured a vocal group called "The Blackbirds" with his band. At this stage of his evolution, many of his long time fans revolted, "How dare he ruin pure jazz with a vocal group". I was one of them. After I expressed my indignation by selling the LP I had just purchased, I came around to liking it and couldn't find a new copy, but I'm human and that's the way it goes.

This is my list of samplers for Byrd's various stages of evolution that can be found on "youtube". "Fuego" is not only my example of Donald Byrd's "hard bop", it is the personification of "hard bop". "Byrd In Hand" featuring Pepper Adams on baritone sax is another favorite of mine. I especially like the cut "Here Am I", Pepper Adams really cooks on that baritone. While Gerry Mulligan is very well known, and considered by many to be the best jazz baritone, Pepper Adams also ranks very high in my book. "Street Lady" by Byrd was an album I wore out. "Donald Byrd & the Blackbirds" was the LP I didn't like initially, sold it, and then couldn't find a new copy when I decided it belonged in my collection.

Just as a food critic must sample many dishes to determine which one's he thinks are best, an audiophile has to sample many records and CD's to determine which one's belong in his collection. Maybe after sampling, you will determine some of this music belongs in your collection.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
I only have 'Harlem Blues' on CD. I am sure I have other stuff on LP. 'Thank You for F..U...M...L' I know I have that on LP. But since I am out of the vinyl business, maybe my children may 'discover' him one day.

I am listening to Harlem Blues now. Very good. He is playing Flugelhorn. I have always thought that was a better choice than trumpet for much of Jazz. Armstrong excepted.

Jazz Giant? we will have to agree to have different lists. Sort of like college football rankings. Currently I have Armstrong and Ellington for my top two, in any order. They are the slam dunks. Additions are open to discussion. Should the girl singers be included?
Thanks for adding music to this site once again.
Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

Rok2id, your question "Should we include the girl singers", just soaked in. Absolutely!

Nina Simone was forced to become a singer. She was playing piano at a lounge to pay for her education as a classical pianist, when the owner told her to sing. The rest is history.

That chick can really bang on the keys. Her early albums always included a couple of instrumentals. She has a style minutely reminiscent of Bud Powell, but it's uniquely "Nina Simone" one of a kind style. Sometime I single out all of her instrumentals, and just put them on my play-list.

Back to "Donald Byrd", check "Here Am I" and tell me what you think about Pepper Adams on Baritone sax?
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 

This is the first time I heard "Harlem Blues". I will definitely add it to my collection. I don't blame you for being out of the vinyl business, it's quite expensive when you're talking about better than CD.

I think the term "jazz giant" between the two of us is a matter of semantics, or maybe we could have more than one list.

Donald Byrd has put out such a wide range of fantastic jazz, that it's almost impossible to say, "I like jazz, but I don't care for Donald Byrd". When I see a statement like that, I know that it's because they haven't heard everything that Byrd's put out.

The records I suggested by Byrd represent different stages of his career, sample them and tell me what you think.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
I like Byrd`s playing a lot, but from his generation I like Freddie Hubbard and Lee Morgan more. I find their improvising more interesting and creative.Hey, they all can play.Pepper Adams is a first rate player, one of my favorites.

Jazz Giants, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk for starters along with Rok2id`s two choices.
Regards,
foster_9
1,638 posts
 
I love to see this thread about Donald Byrd. I love Donald Bryd. He is around my beginnings as a jazz lover when I started listening to WJZZ Detroit's jazz radio back in the 70's and early 80's. As Orpheus said, he has a lot of very different music contributions to "Jazz." As far as his days with the Blackbyrds, you must hear "Places and Spaces." to hear Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds at their best and also "Harlem River Drive." I have heard some of his work as a sideman. Because of this thread, I will definitely pursue some of the titles mentioned here that I have not heard. Thank you!! Hi Orpheus10. It's been a while. Glad to see your post.
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