Donald Byrd
Donald Byrd was an acclaimed American jazz trumpeter, composer, and educator known for his hard bop style and later fusion experiments. He bridged jazz traditions with funk and soul while mentoring young musicians and teaching at universities.
Donaldson Toussaint L’Ouverture Byrd II was born on December 9, 1932, in Detroit, Michigan, to a Methodist minister father who was also an amateur musician. He attended Cass Technical High School, served in the US Air Force, and pursued higher education at Wayne State University, earning a master’s in music education from the Manhattan School of Music. Byrd later obtained a law degree from Howard University and a doctorate in music education from Columbia University in 1982.
Byrd arrived in New York in 1955 at age 23 and quickly joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, replacing Clifford Brown. He recorded extensively with Blue Note Records for 19 years, collaborating with giants like John Coltrane, Dexter Gordon, Hank Mobley, and Herbie Hancock, whom he mentored early on. In the 1970s, he pioneered jazz-funk fusion, forming The Blackbyrds with Howard University students; hits included "Walking in Rhythm" and "Rock Creek Park."
A trailblazing jazz educator, Byrd taught at institutions like Rutgers, Howard, Hampton, and Delaware State University, pioneering college-level jazz courses and a "music+math=art" method. He studied with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and earned NEA Jazz Master status in 2000. Byrd died on February 4, 2013.
Street Lady
Written-By – Larry Mizell
7:16
A2 Miss Kane
Written-By – Larry Mizell
7:35
A3 Sister Love
Written-By – Larry Mizell
6:46
B1 Street Lady
Written-By – Larry Mizell
8:30
B2 Witch Hunt
Written-By – Larry Mizell
9:40
B3 Woman Of The World
Written-By – Edward Gordon, Larry Mizell
6:20
Label: Blue Note – BN-LA140-F
Format: Vinyl, LP, Album
Country: US
Released: 1973
Genre: R&B Jazz
Style: Soul-Jazz, Jazz-Funk
Released in 1973 on Blue Note, Donald Byrd’s Street Lady is a quintessential, highly-regarded jazz-funk masterpiece produced by Larry and Fonce Mizell. It features a polished, cinematic sound blending soulful grooves,, with standout tracks like "Lansana's Priestess" and "Street Lady," often described as an essential, moody, and funky soundtrack to urban life.
The album is defined by the "Mizell magic," featuring a rich, layered, and sophisticated soundscape that combines funk grooves with jazz improvisation. It is frequently compared to Blaxploitation soundtracks of the era.
"Lansana's Priestess" is considered the star track and a classic, while "Street Lady," "Sister Love," and "Miss Kane" also receive high praise for their grooving, percussive, and, at times, moody nature.
The record features prominent, crisp guitar work, along with pastoral flute and, synthesizer/organ sounds, providing a "heavy" and "heady" atmosphere.
It is widely considered a, cornerstone of 70s jazz-funk, highly sought after by collectors and frequently sampled in hip-hop. While some feel it is more of a, party or background album rather than for deep, repeated listening, it is generally considered a,, superior, more self-assured follow-up to Black Byrd.
This album is ideal for fans of 70s soul, jazz-funk, and, those looking for a quintessential, soundtrack-style recording. The album is highly sought after by collectors and has been extensively sampled by hip-hop artists like Public Enemy and Black Moon.