 | Once one of the most promising students of Clifford Brown's lyric style, Byrd became a commercial performer in the 1970's. He has also followed the precedent set by Art Blakey in helping launch the careers of young musicians. Herbie Hancock and Duke Pearson are two of his proteges. Byrd's career is a mosaic of accomplishments in performing, band leading, music teaching, and other pursuits. The son of a Methodist minister and amateur musician, Donald was playing classical trumpet works and also performing with Lionel Hampton while in high-school. At 18, he joined the Air Force and was stationed in New York. In addition to playing in airforce bands, Bird backed vocalists including Mel Torme and Nat King Cole. He spent his free time sitting in with Charlie Parker and Thelonious Monk. In 1955 Byrd's performance with pianist George Wallington's group earned him a job with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and he went on to work in the Max Roach Quintet. Recognized as a virtuosic and lyrical trumpeter, Byrd recorded prolifically over the next few years. At different times he worked as a sideman for Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Horace Silver, Jackie McLean, Red Garland, Art Taylor, and Phil Woods. Byrd's rich, round tone, warm vibrato, and flowing, aggressive lines are well displayed on House of Bird. In 1958 he collaborated with alto saxophonist Gigi Gryce to form Jazz Lab, a forum for experimental pieces. Byrd's inventiveness as a composer is demonstrated on his recordings with baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams. In the 1960's Byrd toured internationally with his own groups and pursued a career in music education. He earned a master's degree in teaching from the Manhattan School of Music and a doctorate in ethnomusicology from Columbia Teacher's College. Byrd's schooling continued in Paris, where he studied composition, and in Ghana, where he studied African music. During these years, he also taught in public schools and colleges in the New York area. As a member of the faculty at Howard University, North Carolina Central University, and North Texas State University, Byrd has attempted to draw attention to academia's neglect of black music and musicians. In the early 1970's, Byrd turned from pure jazz to soul and jazz/rock fusion with the recording Blackbird, which became the best selling record in Blue Note's history. In the 1970's and 1980's, he coached and recorded with many young musicians, including the fusion groups The Blackbyrd's and 125th Street, New York City. Bird has written film scores and worked with symphony orchestras as a conductor, composer, and performer. A man of diverse talents, his other "identities" include playwright, poet, painter, art collector, promoter of black artists, attorney, and licensed pilot. |
