The Pace Report: "Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Donald Byrd & The Blackbyrds's 50th Anniversary"
Welcome to this special edition of @ThePaceReport featuring highlights of the 50th anniversary of the legendary Blackbyrds.

In 1973, trumpeter, composer, bandleader, and educator Donald Byrd was teaching at the famed Howard University in Washington, DC. As a prolific leader we implemented a band that not only could play his music, but have the band get on the job training via touring, writing, management, and the ends of learning the record industry. By this time, Byrd has shifted musically and linked up a set of producers that not only changed his overall sound, but produced a string of critically acclaimed record over the course of the rest of the 1970s. Larry and Fonce Mizell would produce and play on Byrd's iconic record "Black Byrd". Because of the enormous success of this album, Byrd's on the job training would come in the form of a new band he named, The Blackbyrds.

The Blackbyrds were lead by Byrd(Trumpets and vocals), Kevin Toney(keyboards), Keith Killgo(drums), Joe Hall(bass), Allan Barnes(saxophones), Barney Perry(guitar), Orville Sanders(guitar), and Jay Jones(flute and saxes). The group would go on to record eight albums and over 50 years be sampled by a legion of hip-hop artists ranging from De La Soul, Gang Starr, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Ice Cube, and Wiz Khalifa. Their many hits include "Walking In Rhythm", "Rock Creek Park", and "Happy Music.".

On this special edition of @ThePaceReport I had the honor of interviewing two of the co-founding members of The Blackbyrds, Keith Killgo and Joe Hall during their 50th anniversary performance at the famed City Winery in New York City. I also speak with Donald Byrd's son, Donald Byrd III, on his dad's music legacy.

The Blackbyrds are currently on the road, for more info on their 50th anniversary tour please visit them online at www.BlackbyrdsMusic.com

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