The Blackbyrds  

From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia

Related e

Wikipedia Wiktionary Wiki Commons Tumblr Wikisource YouTube Shop Featured: A Scheme for abolishing all Words is one of the wittiest and smartest comments on semantics. (Illustration: extreme close-up from the movie "The Big Swallow" (1901), produced and directed by James Williamson (1855-1933)

"Walking in Rhythm," "Happy Music," "Rock Creek Park"

The Blackbyrds is a former rhythm and blues and jazz-funk fusion group, formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973.

The group was led by trumpeter Donald Byrd and featured some of his Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Orville Saunders (guitar), and Jay Jones (flute, saxophone) were later members of the group. They signed to Fantasy Records in 1973. They are best known for their 1975 hit "Walking in Rhythm", which received a Grammy nomination.

Their 1975 song "Rock Creek Park" from the City Life album has been sampled numerous times and appeared on the soundtrack to the popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Discography

Albums

• The Blackbyrds (1973), Fantasy
• Flying Start (1974), Fantasy
• Cornbread, Earl and Me (1975), Fantasy - original soundtrack
• City Life (1975), Fantasy
• Unfinished Business (1976), Fantasy
• Action (1977), Fantasy
• Night Grooves (1978), Fantasy
• Better Days (1980), Fantasy
• Greatest Hits (1989), Fantasy - compilation album