The Blackbyrds
MON 12 MAY 2008
The Blackbyrds
American jazz-funk legends The Blackbyrds drop in to Edinburgh’s Voodoo Rooms for a cool r&b-tinged workout of such underground club classics as “Walking in Rhythm,” “Rock Creek Park,” and “Happy Music”.
The Blackbyrds were formed by Donald Byrd in 1973 from the best music students attending his course in Howard University, DC, following the success of his groundbreaking “Black Byrd” album. The band made a clutch of scrumptious records in the seventies.
“Rock Creek Park” from “City Life” provided a staple break for the Hip Hop producers of the early eighties. Sampled by everyone from Massive Attack to Nas and De La Soul, and appearing on the ‘Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas’ soundtrack, the band’s albums have remained alive for a new generation.
Original Blackbyrds, drummer Keith Killgo, keyboardist Kevin Toney, bassist Joe Hall, and guitarist Orville Saunders, form the band’s current incarnation, with Antonio Parker on woodwind and vocalist Juanita Williams.
DETAILS
DATE: Mon 12 May 2008
VENUE: The Voodoo Rooms, 19a West Register Street, Edinburgh EH2 2AA
Jazzanova