CiTR

Tonight's Jazz Feature had one of the most widely recorded trumpeters from the 50's and 60's who eventually went into other fields after being a big part of Jazz for so many years. Donald Byrd was one of the many young trumpeters who reflected in their own way the influence of the late Clifford Brown, who died at age 25 in a car crash. Byrd along with Lee Morgan were the young heralds of the trumpet in the 50's and in the 60's Freddie Hubbard was added to that list. Byrd recorded a lot and this is from his period just before he left Jazz for other musical pursuits. This band was one he worked with frequently during the mid-60's. The Jazz Feature album is called "Blackjack" . It spotlights a sextet with Byrd leading alto saxophonist Sonny Red (aka Sylvester Kyner), tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Cedar Walton, Walter Booker on bass and the always smiling Billy Higgins on drums. The tunes are mostly original creations by Sonny Red and Donald Byrd. Byrd wrote the title track "Blackjack", a hip funky tune. Enjoy this fine date from Blue Note Records.