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David Byrd

David Byrd and Byrds of a Feather are the epitome of JazzReggae in the bay area. Born and raised on the musical mecca of 47th street in Chicago, and grew up listening to all the greats like Lou Rawls, Jackie Wilson, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations and BB King, to name a few, who played at the Regal Theater, where his uncle, Red Saunders was the drummer and bandleader. On the same block of 47th and Drexel Blvd. where he lived, jazz greats like Gene Ammons played at the Southerland . He got serious about jazz until he went to the jam sessions that were hosted by Sonny Stitt at the Grass Hut on 79th street and then enrolled in Chicago State University in 1977 to study under the great Bunky Green . He discovered reggae music through his friend Ray Bean in 1980, and was inspired by the great messages of Bob Marley and Steel Pulse. He decided that he wanted to say something important in his lyrics like his reggae heroes. In jazz,Eddie Jefferson, Gil Scott Heron and Oscar Brown Jr, inspired that train of thought. He was then inspired to blend his two great loves, jazz and reggae with Master musicians who were on the same page. That is the wonderful day when, "Byrds of a Feather" was born in 1983. For many years he paid dues on the club circuit in Chicago and touring around the country before recording the first CD in 1992 "In Consciousness". Then came "Chi-Town Reggae" in 1994, "Shockproof" in 1996, "Soul Development" in 1999, "JazzReggae.com" in 2005 and "Soul Journey" in 2012. 6 Cd's all recorded in Chicago. The latest recording was a single done in 2022 in San Francisco called "Garden of Delight".

Tags

Gene Ammons
saxophone, tenor
Sonny Stitt
saxophone
Sonny Criss
saxophone, alto
Louis Jordan
saxophone, alto
Lou Rawls
vocals
Bob Marley
guitar

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Soul Journey

Third Eye Open
2012

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Jazzreggae.com

Third Eye Open
2005

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Soul Development

Third Eye Open
1999

buy

Shockproof

Third Eye Open
1996

buy

Chi-Town Reggae

Third Eye Open
1994

buy

In Consciusness

Third Eye Open
1992

buy

Videos

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