Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II (1932-2013) is an American jazz and rhythm and blues trumpeter. A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd is best known as one of the only bebop jazz musicians who successfully pioneered the funk and soul genres while simultaneously remaining a pop artist.

[Edited 2/4/13 20:59pm]

A couple many would be familiar with...

...(Fallin' Like) Dominoes & Change (Makes You Want To Hustle)


(If true)

Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

[Edited 2/4/13 21:11pm]

I don't know if this is true or not but Donald Byrd is from Detroit and something like this would definitely be news here and I haven't heard of it.

This is so sad. Love me so DB. Prayers go out 2 his family. What a great man, what a loss.

R.I.P Mr. Byrd

Rest In Paradise Mr. Byrd. Detroit's finest jazz musician has died. This man inspired inspired many musicians in many genres including another Detroit musical pioneer J. Dilla. For all hip hop heads. Large Professor sampled this groove for his hit "Looking Through The Window" and J Dilla remade this with Dwele playing trumpet for Dilla's first solo album "Welcome 2 Detroit".

Donald Byrd is one of many great musicians who went to Cass Technical High School. Greg Phillinganes being another. I'm proud that one of the greatest jazz musicians is from my hometown.

[Edited 2/5/13 2:34am]

One of my fave songs from Mizell Brothers' musical storybook,,,,

Rest easy, Mr.Byrd.

[Edited 2/5/13 2:54am]

UH, never mind.

Brotha still kickin'

===========================

[Edited 2/5/13 16:29pm]

Source?

I'm not finding anything on this. I hope it's not true.

There are still no verifiable media reports on his passing. Did you fall for a Twitter hoax?

[Edited 2/8/13 12:48pm]

Grown Folks Music retracts a Facebook post that stated had Donald Byrd passed.

via grownfolksmusic.com:

Facebook Post Retraction – Donald Byrd

Late last evening, one of our contributing writers (after seeing a post from a music industry insider) posted on our Facebook Page condolences and an accompanying video announcing the passing of Jazz Musician and Jazz Educator extraordinaire Donald Byrd. We here at Grown Folks Music apologize profusely for any confusion that the post may have caused. We take great pride in providing factual information and as of this hour; like many of you, we have found zero reputable news outlets to corroborate this story. In this era of real time “news” we strive here to always consider the “source” of such information first and foremost and weigh heavily the decision to post whenever these types of stories break. We value accuracy above all else in this age of racing to be the first.

Sincerely,

The Grown Folks Music Staff

namepeace said:

Darn rights. False.

Thanks to the OP for the link.

Seems it is true afterall RIP

http://www.huffingtonpost...39910.html

R.I.P to the legend.

And NOW . . . it's official.

JazzyJ posted the most appropos song I could think of -- Flight Time.

This was one news item I didn't want to believe this week. I was really hoping it was false.

RIP Donald Byrd

I listened to a few of his 70s albums this morning.

Oh no.

Mr. Byrd also had a deep straight Jazz catalog (since the 50s) prior to the more commercial 70s recordings.

...Yusef

...Long Green

...Everything Happens To Me

...Ghana

...The Cat Walk

...6M's

...Lover Come Back To Me

...Devil Whip



Music for adventurous listeners

tA

Tribal Records

He may have not been a 'virtuoso' but blimey did he make good music. And that's all that matters.

One of Byrd's frequent collaborators (as well as arranger for numerous artists including Prince), Clare Fischer, died a year ago last month. Here's his composition and contribution on keys for the 125th St. NYC album:

Morning

love his solo's with the Jazz Messengers

Donald Byrd, Jazz Trumpeter, Dies at 80

The New York Times ^