The Blackbyrds

Legendary jazz-funk and R&B band The Blackbyrds were formed in 1973 in Washington D.C. as the protégées of legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd. This year they celebrate 50 years since their formation.

Assembled from students at the Howard University’s music department where the jazz legend was an instructor they struck musical gold with their eponymous debut in 1973, The Blackbyrds, which featured the stone cold rare groove classic “Do It Fluid”.

Further hits followed with the proto-disco hits “Walking in Rhythm” and “Rock Creek Park” taken from their albums Flying Start and City Life respectively. More recently the band released an album of new material in 2012, Gotta Fly, but expect these very special shows to be dominated by their extensive catalogue of classic cuts, underground hits, rare groove anthems and their unique synthesis.