Pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd has been an active member of both jazz and gospel music for more than two decades. The Eric Byrd Trio was a member of the US State Department Jazz Ambassadors and is currently on the Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster. Appearing on over 30 recordings, the trio recently released 21st Century Swing.
1. Miles Davis | Kind of Blue
This was THE record that made me want to be a jazz musician. Ray Charles made me love music, Beethoven made me want to play music, but Kind of Blue made me want to swing. Six of the best cats of all time, all on one record, all playing completely within their personality. The piano chair was my first introduction to a pianist that played with colors, not just notes. Classic.
This was THE record that made me want to be a jazz musician. Ray Charles made me love music, Beethoven made me want to play music, but Kind of Blue made me want to swing. Six of the best cats of all time, all on one record, all playing completely within their personality. The piano chair was my first introduction to a pianist that played with colors, not just notes. Classic.
2. John Coltrane | My Favorite Things
Sheets of sound coming at me through my speakers, almost nightly, for about seven months. I owned the LP, the cassette, and the CD so I had it wherever I needed it. I didn’t understand how he and McCoy could get so much out of so few chords, but I was obsessed with finding out.
Sheets of sound coming at me through my speakers, almost nightly, for about seven months. I owned the LP, the cassette, and the CD so I had it wherever I needed it. I didn’t understand how he and McCoy could get so much out of so few chords, but I was obsessed with finding out.
3. Ray Charles | The Birth of Soul
The genius at, what some could argue, the height of his jazz/soul power. Some of the hits are here as well as some of the jazz instrumentals, the ballads, the piano playing, the voice. He eventually leaves Atlantic Records to record more great music but it started here, on Atlantic.
The genius at, what some could argue, the height of his jazz/soul power. Some of the hits are here as well as some of the jazz instrumentals, the ballads, the piano playing, the voice. He eventually leaves Atlantic Records to record more great music but it started here, on Atlantic.
4. Miles Davis | '58 Sessions
Another great swinging offering by Miles with that great combo. Bill Evans and the rhythm section make this CD with my favorite version of “On Green Dolphin Street.”
Another great swinging offering by Miles with that great combo. Bill Evans and the rhythm section make this CD with my favorite version of “On Green Dolphin Street.”
  | 5. Chick Corea | Akoustic Band and Alive While my playing doesn't resemble Chick’s at all, his concepts on this record profoundly influenced me. This trio recording had what I have now: two other guys in the group who aren’t really looking for me to lead per se, but each member is independent, bound together by a common goal. They are just playing standards, but in such a way that their arrangements breathe new life into them. Even today I model myself off this concept. Fantastic stuff. |
6. Dexter Gordon | Great Encounters
The whole record is worth the live selections—even just the first track, “The Blues Up and Down." This blues is over 14 mins and there are only two solos! Dexter quotes about five or six melodies inside of it, and the first chorus is only two or three notes for a full 12 bars. It is a great example of developing one's improvisation as the song goes on. I still can’t recall the other songs on the disc.
The whole record is worth the live selections—even just the first track, “The Blues Up and Down." This blues is over 14 mins and there are only two solos! Dexter quotes about five or six melodies inside of it, and the first chorus is only two or three notes for a full 12 bars. It is a great example of developing one's improvisation as the song goes on. I still can’t recall the other songs on the disc.
7. Herbie Hancock | Herbie Hancock Box Set
I’m cheating here because it’s four discs of music not just one program, but between his acoustic and electric work, Herbie Hancock is the best keyboardist alive. He plays in each context authentically as if he only exists in one; he is the most rhythmically free pianist ever. His sense of melody and time is above everyone else’s, and all that feeds into his creative genius.
I’m cheating here because it’s four discs of music not just one program, but between his acoustic and electric work, Herbie Hancock is the best keyboardist alive. He plays in each context authentically as if he only exists in one; he is the most rhythmically free pianist ever. His sense of melody and time is above everyone else’s, and all that feeds into his creative genius.
8. Sarah Vaughn | Sassy Swings the Trivoli
"Sassy’s Blues," where she scats the entire thing, never repeating herself? Forget about it. All live and in the moment, no overdubs, no editing. In a world where it takes millionaire musicians 16 months to finish a 10-song download in which only three of the songs are any good, Sarah pulls you right into the gig, taking you through a host of emotions and shades. This is fantastic.
"Sassy’s Blues," where she scats the entire thing, never repeating herself? Forget about it. All live and in the moment, no overdubs, no editing. In a world where it takes millionaire musicians 16 months to finish a 10-song download in which only three of the songs are any good, Sarah pulls you right into the gig, taking you through a host of emotions and shades. This is fantastic.
9. The Quintet | Jazz at Massey Hall, Live Edition
I used to listen to the CD holding my breath because I couldn’t believe it was a live recording of both Dizzy and Bird playing together--just for me! Done 60 years ago, this recording still makes me smile today. Maybe because I miss my parents, maybe because I miss the purity of the music that isn’t made with a producer's dream to sell records by teaming a legend up with Lady GaGa. This is just the music, live, in its innocence. Exquisite.
I used to listen to the CD holding my breath because I couldn’t believe it was a live recording of both Dizzy and Bird playing together--just for me! Done 60 years ago, this recording still makes me smile today. Maybe because I miss my parents, maybe because I miss the purity of the music that isn’t made with a producer's dream to sell records by teaming a legend up with Lady GaGa. This is just the music, live, in its innocence. Exquisite.
 | 10. John Coltrane | A Love Supreme Don’t tell my wife, but every Sunday night for six months, I played the title track and read Trane’s liner notes about seeking God for two, if not three, of my children. As of this writing, I humbly believe my three sons are the most special people on the entire planet. I have to think this CD had a great deal to do with that. Coltrane had already established himself as one of the greatest improvisational seekers on the planet, yet he wanted to go higher by connecting his spirit with THE spirit. I can’t even play this CD too often, because it’s too arresting, too compelling to listen to cavalierly. It all starts and ends for me with this recording. |
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