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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
 
Today's playlist:

(1)Paul Chambers Quintet with: (1957)
donald byrd / cliff jordan / tommy flanagan / elvin jones

unexceptional Blue Note be-bop. A young Donald Byrd.

(2)The Sound Of Jazz (1958)
An attempt to introduce Jazz to the public by CBS televison. Nice enough. The highlight is hearing Billie Holiday. count basie, coleman hawkins and doc cheatham also on board. Great photos in the liner notes.

(3) Count On The Coast vol 1 (1958)
Big Band Jazz does not get better than this. Very tight playing. Count Basie and his orch with Joe Williams singing a few also. Al Grey is aboard on trombone. One of my favorite players!

(4)Smokin' At The Half-Note (1965)
Wes Montgomery and Wynton Kelly Trio. Critics say his (wes) best performance on record. Pat Metheny called it the Greatest Jazz Guitar Album ever!! And the solo on 'Unit 7', the best solo ever!! Won't get an arugument with me.

If you read about these guys you soon realize that they ALL knew each other! Played together and stayed together. Very close knit, this Jazz world.
Cheers
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Paul Chambers Quintet: When I listen to jazz, I try to take my mind back to when the record was made. This was cut in the late 50's, and that's when "West Coast jazz" was hip. This music has a west coast jazz feel to it.

The Sound of Jazz: was the most impressive thing I've ever seen on TV about jazz. When I looked at Billie Holiday singing "Fine and Mellow", it brought tears to my eyes; that's because I know her life story, and I could feel it when she sang.

Gerry Mulligan on baritone is standing next to Coleman Hawkins, and they're both blowing for "Lady Day". She's listening, and you can tell by that expression of total inner contentment on her face that she's really digin it.

Wes Montgomery: "Bumpin On Sunset" takes me back to another time and place; back to beautiful ladies and swinging lounges where they were dancing to "The Philly Dog". The music you chose was before that time, it was before he became famous. "Around Midnight", from "The Wes Montgomery Trio" is my favorite version. It's the one with the album cover on "youtube". While there is a difference in his music between this time and that time, I like both times for different reasons. The music he made, that made him famous, conjures up visions; while the music he made before then is his best jazz, and is the most listenable.

Today, I'm into Yusef Lateef. Although he's been widely used as a sideman, I prefer the albums he's led. Right now I'm listening to "The Blue Yusef Lateef"; this album covers a lot of musical territory.

The way we're going now, is the way I think this thread should proceed.

Enjoy the music.
orpheus10 OP
8,668 posts
 
Charles1dad, I hope we haven't lost you. Your contributions were important and very much appreciated.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
This weekend:

Oscar Peterson - Night Train
I bought this just for the title track, but have since discovered that this ia wonderful disc from start to finish. Not a weak track on the disc. 5 star!!

James Booker - Resurrection of the Bayou Maharajah
This guy is supposed to be crazy, for real. This is one of those strange wonderful players from New Orleans. The recording captures the ambience of the club very well. Solo piano, so a good test for all those uber-alles systems out there.

Cannonball Adderley - Cannonball's Bosa Nova
Cannonball playing with players from Brazil. very nice on the ears, like all music of this type. The tunes by Jobim and Mendes are the highlights. None of the usual quintet appear.

Etta James & "cleanhead" Vinson - The Late Show
Great blues set recorded live at a club in LA. Etta passed away this year. Her blues singing was the 'real' thing.

Beethoven - 9th Symphony
Bohm / Vienna and Norman,Domingo,Fassbaender,Berry
with a lineup like that, perfection is within reach. It's very slow and the singing is great. You hear everything. In the same class of recording as Kleiber's 5&7. My favorite 9th of all time.

I only have one by Yusef Lateef. Titled 'Encounters'. I listened to it because you mentioned him. I have a lot more of him on LP. I think he is another one that evolved into into a player that sort of left me behind. Not bad, just does not keep me involved. I think he was one of the first into 'world' music. Plays a lot of different instruments also. I think I have him as a member of the cannonball quintet, "Dizzy's Business". Great album. Live in Tokyo.
Thanks for your post.
Cheers
tonyjack
102 posts
 
Donald Byrd R.I.P

He died on Feb 4 2013. Great musician,trumpeter, educator,producer, composer, arranger and bandleader!
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