[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 27 (Tuesday, February 26, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E190]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                A TRIBUTE TO JAZZ MASTER DR. DONALD BYRD

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR.

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2013

  Mr. CONYERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to note the passing on 
February 4, 2013 of National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, Dr. 
Donald Byrd. Dr. Byrd was my dear friend, and a fellow Detroiter. He 
will be deeply missed by his family, friends, jazz patrons, and 
musicians around the world. They admired his creative musical genius, 
kind heart, and down to earth nature.
  Dr. Byrd was a master trumpeter, composer, bandleader, recording 
artist, educator, and a highly innovative jazz musician. He was a 
creative force in music for over six decades, and left his mark on 
several modern jazz styles and related genres including Hard Bop, Soul-
Jazz, Fusion and Hip-Bop. Byrd, who was a cutting-edge academic, was 
also instrumental in establishing jazz as a viable course of study in 
several universities and colleges throughout the nation.
  Dr. Byrd was born Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II in Detroit, 
Michigan on December, 9, 1932. Mr. Byrd learned to play the trumpet 
while growing up in Detroit, a city which produced many other 
accomplished jazz artists including Barry Harris, Thad and Elvin Jones, 
Kenny Burrell, Yusef Lateef, Paul Chambers, Tommy Flanagan and Betty 
Carter.
  Dr. Byrd attended Cass Technical High School, whose advanced musical 
curriculum produced a multitude of jazz stars, including renowned 
vocalists Geri Allen and Regina Carter. Influenced by jazz trumpet 
players Dizzy Gillespie and Clifford Brown, Byrd joined the Lionel 
Hampton Orchestra before completing his degree at Cass Tech. He went on 
to play in the United States Air Force Band, earn a bachelor's of music 
degree from Wayne State University, and earn a master's degree from The 
Manhattan School of Music.
  While at the Manhattan School, Donald Byrd joined Art Blakey's ``Jazz 
Messengers,'' replacing legendary jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, and 
further establishing the great Messenger trumpet tradition that 
included Lee Morgan and Freddie Hubbard. In 1955, Donald Byrd recorded 
with fellow rising jazz musicians Jackie McLean and Mal Waldron. He 
left the Jazz Messengers in 1956, and then performed with many leading 
jazz musicians of the day, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins and 
Thelonious Monk. Donald Byrd also had an eye for new talent, hiring 
Herbie Hancock to play in his band. Byrd co-led a quintet with fellow 
Detroiter and baritone saxophonist Pepper Adams, from 1958 to 1961. A 
prolific recording artist, Byrd recorded as a leader on the Verve, 
Columbia, Transition, and Prestige labels.
  In 1959, Mr. Byrd signed with Blue Note Records, and released his 
first album for the Royal Flush label, where he recorded over twenty 
albums. These albums include ``A New Perspective,'' ``Free Form,'' 
``Fancy Free and Electric Byrd''--all of which highlighted Byrd's 
inspired and innovative forays into the soul-jazz period of the 1960s. 
In 1963, Byrd studied composition with the famed classical instructor 
Nadia Boulanger.
  But it was in the late sixties and early seventies, when Miles Davis 
would help to launch the fusion era of Jazz, that Byrd enjoyed his most 
successful period as an artist. Byrd's 1973 album, ``Black Byrd,'' 
married jazz improvisation to R&B styles, and became the highest 
grossing Blue Note album of all time. This successful album was 
followed by ``Street Lady,'' ``Places,'' and ``Spaces,'' and 
``Caricatures.'' In the 1980s, Byrd recorded on the Elektra Records 
label, with a new ensemble called the 125th Street Orchestra.
  Donald Byrd also made several contributions to higher education in 
his lifetime. He was the founding director of Howard University's Jazz 
Studies Program. Mr. Byrd also recruited several of his prize pupils to 
form the musical group The Blackbyrds, who enjoyed considerable success 
with their hits, ``Walkin' in Rhythm,'' ``Rock Creek Park,'' and 
``Happy Music.'' Byrd was also instrumental in establishing highly 
respected jazz studies programs at a number of schools including North 
Carolina Central University, Rutgers University, Hampton University, 
Oberlin, New York University, Cornell University, Queens College, and 
Delaware State University. Byrd also served on the Board of the 
National Jazz Service Organization. He joined the distinguished ranks 
of NEA Jazz Masters in 2000, along with Dr. David Baker and Marian 
McPartland.
  Unlike most jazz artists who ignored the developing rap and hip-hop 
music scenes, Donald Byrd was a major supporter of those forms. Many of 
his songs have been sampled by rappers. Byrd's collaboration with 
rapper Keith Elam on the 1993 album ``Jazzmatazz'' provided the 
template for jazz and hip-hop artists to work together. Byrd also 
participated in another high profile, jazz-rap collaboration, the 1994 
compilation, ``Stolen Moments: Red, Hot + Cool.''
  In addition to his master's degree from Manhattan School of Music, 
Byrd earned two master's degrees from Columbia University. He received 
a law degree in 1976, and a doctorate from Columbia University Teachers 
College in 1982. He was an avid collector of African-American art, and 
a licensed pilot. Dr. Byrd resided in Teaneck, New Jersey.
  As we honor the life and career of this great artist and educator, 
one thing remains clear: that the pioneering work and artistry of Dr. 
Donald Byrd has provided a rich legacy of jazz music for our youth to 
build on and carry forth for future generations.

                          ____________________