Blue Note Records has graced us with an amazing gem in the unreleased recording of Donald Byrd with his band at the 1973 Montreux Jazz Festival. Blue Note explains, “As a special tribute to this Jazz Immortal and as a gift to the legions of aficionados who, like all of us at Blue Note Records, treasure the music he’s left behind, we are honored to present – for the first time - Donald Byrd, Live at Montreux from July 5, 1973.”
“Shortly after Mr. Byrd’s passing on February 4th, we got an email from the noted British music icon, Gilles Petersen, inquiring about a legendary performance from 1973′s Montreux Jazz Festival. Blue Note’s Curator-In-Chief, Michael Cuscuna, told us that it had, indeed, been recorded and subsequently mixed for release by Bob Belden in 1999. Inexplicably, it has remained hidden in the Blue Note vaults – until now. The tapes are wonderful and reveal a far more raw and gritty side to Donald Byrd’s 70′s music than his studio recordings might suggest…” muses Blue Note Records President, Don Was.
Simply said, the seven song live recording hits HARD. Take a listen and revel in the legacy of such an incredible musician.
Lineup:
Donald Byrd, Trumpet, Fluegelhorn, Vocals; Fonce Mizell, Trumpet, Vocals; Allan Barnes, Tenor Sax, Flute; Nathan Davis, Tenor Sax, Soprano Sax; Kevin Toney, Electric Piano; Larry Mizell, Synthesizer; Barney Perry, Electric Guitar; Henry Franklin, Electric Bass; Keith Killgo, Drums, Vocals; Ray Armando, Conga, Percussion.
