david weiss Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 I don't want to put RIP in the title yet but this does appear to be the case. I'll let you all know when I know with 100% certainty . One of the greats of course.... I got to hang with him a bit and talk to him on several other occasions. Quite the thinker on a number of wide ranging topics. I think the last time I saw him was at a Kennedy Center event in 2007...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Weiss Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 There was a claim and then a retraction here: http://grownfolksmusic.com/blog/facebook-post-retraction-donald-byrd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 http://hipstersanctuary.wordpress.com/2013/02/06/soul-jazz-musician-composer-donald-byrd-succumbs-at-80/ this is what i was linked to last night at about 1145pm. is there any updated info yet. I hope to god we are all wrong, and DB is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Shearn Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Man. What a shame it would be if true! I know Donald's chops haven't been all that great for a while, but the consistent playing on so many 50's through the late 60's is wonderful. I've always loved him on the Blakey and the JM's self titled Columbia date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chewy-chew-chew-bean-benitez Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) you know, i cant believe hes only 80. 80 doesnt seem that old to me anymore. because, one min. yr in yr 70s still completely rockin' it, then things get really bad. and as short as life is, donald byrd accomplished more than most people. he has one of the best discographies in jazz, his music covers so much ground. and he even went to law school and became a lawyer. that is interesting someone mentioned they saw him in 07. i was under the impression he was somewhat retired or more reclusive these days, is that not so. on the orig. link i posted, theres what appears to be a more recent pic of him, he looks great! Donald Byrd's blue note carreer survived longer than Hank's and Lee Morgan and actually all his bn partners save horace silver and gene harris. am i missing anybody? bobby hutcherson..... ok theres a few. DB did, what Hank Mobley never was able do. Edited February 7, 2013 by chewy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnymax Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Although this item first appeared on a blog three days ago, there is no reliable corroboration to be found. Out of respect for the artist, his family and friends, could we please refrain from further speculation for now to avoid spreading the rumor and causing unecessary worry and grief? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brownie Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 After a thorough search through the internet, glad to find that there is nothing to substantiate the rumor. Long live Donald Byrd! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david weiss Posted February 7, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 I don't know if Facebook links work but..... http://www.facebook.com/alex.bugnon.3/posts/10152541319960578 It's a strange situation......I'm sure they are trying to handle this as they see fit but....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonnymax Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Family "situations" are always difficult. Too bad Bugnon felt the need to make this one public. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Byrd was Bugnon's uncle, fwiw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr jazz Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Byrd's nephew confirmed his death and his wikipedia page has been updated. RIP for a great player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidewinder Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 (edited) Really sorry to hear that this news has been confirmed. RIP and thanks for some wonderful recordings. Edited February 7, 2013 by sidewinder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
king ubu Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 shit! will dig up some of his music, always seemed to like him somewhat better than all those who found him "academic" (whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hardbopjazz Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Wow, another one has left us. RIP Donald and thank you for all the great music you provided to the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J.A.W. Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 Sad news. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinmce Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 I don't love Byrd's playing, but I cherish the likes of Byrd's Eye View, At the Half Note Cafe, Royal Flush and his work on Bluesnik, which might be his very best. RIP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CJ Shearn Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 RIP Donald. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjzee Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 RIP. The likes of Byrd, Lee Morgan, Mobley made some of the most enjoyable jazz. I only hope we can get back to that. In Ben Sidran's Talking Jazz interview with Herbie Hancock, Herbie talked with great fondness and respect about Byrd. There was a great anecdote about Byrd, Herbie and Mongo discussing the roots of Watermelon Man. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clunky Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 I have always liked his playing. Never as individual as say Kenny Dorham and as technically gifted as say Morgan but he played well, wrote good tunes and produced some damn fine LPs. Never followed his output post 1969 but most of what came prior to then was top drawer. RIP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 R.I.P. Byrd was one of my favorites, maybe not as flashy as Lee Morgan or Freddie Hubbard but damn soulful, a fine player. I find his 60s Blue Note albums to be consistently enjoyable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Weiss Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 I have always liked his playing. Never as ... technically gifted as say Morgan I'd have to disagree with you there - specifically in his prime (1950's). Into the 1960s, another story of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Kart Posted February 7, 2013 Report Share Posted February 7, 2013 One of the things about Byrd that intrigued me back in the day was the rather considerable IMO stylistic shift between the light-toned, at times almost bouncing-ball-like fluidity of his mid-'50s work and the arguably somewhat studied but also at times moving brassy solemnity/sobriety of his late '50s/early '60s work. In the latter bag, I'm thinking in particular of his playing on "Fuego" on pocket trumpet, though there are a fair number of other instances. I have the feeling that Byrd did some studying with a trumpet guru of some sort, and that this bought about that change. Was Byrd -- knowledgable trumpet players please weigh in -- using the so-called "no pressure" system early on? I think I recall reading words to that effect, but that would have been many years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeweil Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 R.I.P., and many thanks for the music. There are so many Donald Byrd albums I really love to listen to, will spin some tomorrow. He was a scholar as well as a player, but I appreciate that very much, he was very aware of the African heritage without being superficial about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSngry Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 Royal Flush is still one of my favorite records of any type. I still can't get with the Mizell stuff (and have tried, and will continue to try if/as the spirit moves), but let it be noted that Dr. Byrd is beloved in some circles spread the gospel of Knowing The Business So You Don't Get Screwed By The Business longly and loudly, and having those hits allowed him to preach it to people who might not have heard it otherwise at a time when the people who heard it were in a position to start putting it to real, not theoretical, use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felser Posted February 8, 2013 Report Share Posted February 8, 2013 I love the conception of the title track on "Free Form". He had quite a career. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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