Collection: The Blackbyrds

Donald Byrd had been teaching jazz at Howard University for a few years when he decided his students needed practical experience beyond the classroom. He assembled a band from his best players, named them the Blackbyrds after his own Blue Note album "Black Byrd," secured a Fantasy Records deal, and brought in Larry Mizell as producer for the 1974 debut. The original lineup was Kevin Toney on keyboards, Keith Killgo on drums and vocals, Joe Hall on bass, Allan Barnes on saxophone and clarinet, and Barney Perry on guitar, joined later by Orville Saunders on guitar and Jay Jones on flute. Byrd himself played trumpet and flugelhorn. The self-titled first album reached the pop, R&B and jazz charts simultaneously, with "Do It, Fluid" crossing into the Hot 100. The second album "Flying Start," released later in 1974, led with "Walking in Rhythm," a Barney Perry composition that reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and placed in the top ten on the R&B, disco and adult contemporary charts simultaneously. It remains their most recognised track. The band recorded the soundtrack to the 1975 film "Cornbread, Earl and Me" at A&M Studios in New York. Merry Clayton joined them for "Rock Creek Park" and "Happy Music." Their catalogue was extensively sampled by hip-hop producers in the 1990s. Two original members, Killgo and Hall, continue to tour and perform under the Blackbyrds name.