gigspot | The Blackbyrds

Earlier this week we took the opportunity to catch a rare glimpse of vintage jazz-funk outfit, The Blackbyrds.

Blackbyrds on stage

Only in the last few years had I became aware of the Blackbyrds' albums, and their association with Donald Byrd, whose music I was already familiar with and a fan of. Tracks like 'Rock Creek Park' and 'Do It, Fluid' and so damn catchy that as soon as you hear them you know this is a group of musicians who are masters of their craft, and this is a band whose work deserves to be considered up there with the best of the late seventies era. 

Original members Joe Hall (bass) and Keith Killgo (drums) were joined by Winston Byrd (trumpet), Orville Saunders (guitar), Dave Robbins (I think that was his name, on keys) and vocalists Maya Shavonne and Paul Spires. From the moment Winston Byrd put that trumpet to his lips I was hooked and the Byrd groove was well and truly on.

The whole performance was superb with lots of energy and plenty of funky grooves. I was particularly impressed with Keith Killgo's exuberance on drums,  as well as the height at which the superb Joe Hall held his bass! If you thought Mark King positioned his bass high, wait until you see Joe.  

People came for jazz-funk, Blackbyrds style, and they went home happy. Check out this video from the gig. Visit the VibeRide youtube channel for more. That's all folks.  

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