Roadrunner Records - Slipknot's hard-hitting, aggressive metal anthems are getting…
Donald Byrd Dead: Legendary Jazz Musician Dies at 80
- Posted on Feb 7th 2013 6:37PM by Theo Bark
Michael Ochs Archives
According to a family member, the trumpet player and bandleader, born Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II, died Monday, Feb 4., at the age of 80. His cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Byrd's nephew, Alex Bugnon, also a jazz musician, revealed to Amoeba that his family had been attempting to hide Byrd's death.
"I have no more patience for this unnecessary shroud of secrecy placed over his death by certain members of his immediate family," Bugnon explained in an email.
Byrd was born in Detroit in 1932, and joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers in 1956, performing on over 50 recordings by the likes of John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Kenny Burrell, Jackie McLean and Hank Mobley, before leading his own group in 1958.
Perhaps best known for his Mizell Brothers-produced 1973 LP Black Byrd, which at one point was Blue Note's highest-selling LP of all time, Byrd went on to score major hits with his R&B fusion group the Blackbyrds, including dance-floor favorite "Rock Creek Park" and "Walking in Rhythm."
Byrd's work spanned decades of jazz and funk, from bebop and soul to R&B, inspiring acid jazz and fusion, always progressive, always testing his limits.
When his output began to wind down, Byrd's music became even more relevant: He became an essential part of hip-hop's canon, sampled by everybody from De La Soul, Ice Cube and Tupac to house legend Armand Van Helden, and his sphere of influence became vaster still.
"Let's remember Donald as a one of a kind pioneer of the trumpet, of the many styles of music he took on, of music education," his nephew concluded in his statement to Amoeba. "In sum, Donald was an avid, eternal student of music, until his death. That's what I try to be, everyday!! Rest in peace, uncle!"
Listen to Donald Byrd's "Think Twice"
Follow @Spinner on Twitter | Like Us on Facebook | Sign Up for Our Newsletter
All the AOL Music info you want to know
Is This the Title of Mariah Carey's New…
The BoomboxWhen Mariah Carey isn't hanging with her kids and hubby Nick Cannon or beefing…
P.O.D. Challenge Viewer Perspective in…
NoisecreepDavid Livingston, Getty Images P.O.D.'s thoroughly contemplative video for…
News Roundup - Hunter Hayes to Appear…
The BootErika Goldring, Getty Images Still hungry for even more country music news? Here…
Add a Comment
For the past 2 weeks I"ve been listening to, "Steppin into Tomorrow" and " Sky High."
DB...Great Master Musician and Teacher!!!!! He left a lasting legacy of good quality music for all to enjoy and treasure. Like Coltrane, Miles, Monk and other African-American musicians, Mr. Byrd gave us a reason to be proud of the rich cultural heritage of jazz musicianship and self expression. I remember His time @ NCCU....He will be greatly missed.....God bless .......He's gone to join that heavenly band to play for the Host In Heaven....RIP
The first time I heard Donald Byrd, I was a young adolescent. My step father was playing Christo Redemptor on the New Perspective album by Byrd along with Beast of Burden, Elijah, Chant, and the Black Disciple... and it really captivated me as to how beautiful an album it was. Byrd always updated his music, and I enjoyed everything he ever put out there. I'm especially fund of the stuff that he did with the Black Byrds. We will only miss his physical presence. His music will live on through time.
February 12 2013 at 5:32 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI started listening to Donald Byrd when I was a freshman in high school (the 70'). Twenty years later when my son was 2 years old, we would listen to Dominos every morning on the way to day care. He had became a fan. Places and Spaces is one of my favorite albums of all times. Night whistler is probablly the most phenominal song ever, if you've never heard it, do your self a favor. It's worth the time. RIP Donald your music will be with me forever. Thanks for the memories and especially the music.
February 09 2013 at 1:37 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyI have loved Donald Byrds music since my college days. He and the Blackbyrds performed at Grambling College during the 70's I had the pleasure and honor of being there I still have the original album Black Byrds from that time and I still enjoy it just as much. Donald Byrds music transends time. You will be missed my brother but your music will live on. Thank you for your legacy!
February 08 2013 at 11:53 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down ReplyAn icon of music! enjoyed listening to Donald Byrd to calm me down when I'm upset or to just get away. His music has that affect now and back then. Donald Byrd's music will always be remember. "Places& Spaces, Street Lady" and Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds! omg! Thank you Donald Byrd RIP!
February 08 2013 at 9:39 AM Report abuse Permalink +1 rate up rate down Reply
5 Comments