The Eric Byrd Trio

About the Artist

For over 20 years, the Eric Byrd Trio (EBT) has traveled the world as enthusiastic jazz ambassadors. Rooted in swing and be-bop, The Trio also embraces gospel and the blues as core elements of their expansive performance style. Their body of work spans seven unique studio and live recordings on which they shine as a Trio and as collaborators with an expanded 8-piece ensemble they call The Eric Byrd Trio: Brother Ray Band, in tribute to The Genius of Soul icon Ray Charles. On each recording, they take a rigorous, modern approach to standards as well as original compositions, playing with great acuity within the broad and rich jazz tradition. The Eric Byrd Trio are educators with advanced degrees in Music History, African American Music, and Jazz Performance degrees. They frequently give clinics on music history, jazz, and the relationship between the spirituals/gospel, blues, and jazz. Because of their immense knowledge of music, commitment to music education, and ability to teach diverse and international audiences, they have been sponsored by the United States Embassy as Kennedy Center/U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors touring South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Eastern & Western Europe, and the Middle East. The Trio has also delighted audiences across the globe at the historic Montreux Jazz Festival and in Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dubai, Estonia, Honduras, Italy, Peru, Scotland, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Artist's Statement

The Eric Byrd Trio’s mission is to play splendidly within the broad & rich jazz tradition, taking a rigorous, modern approach to standards and original compositions.  These true jazz ambassadors have performed internationally for well over two decades… and counting, exciting audiences across the globe.  They are former Kennedy Center/U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors.  That prestigious designation provided the EBT with opportunities to tour their brand of 21st Century Swing to parts of South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Eastern & Western Europe, and the Middle East, including major events like the historic Montreux Jazz Festival. Cited by URBANITE Magazine as one of 10 “Movers and Shakers” in the Baltimore area, pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, primary composer of EBT, has played professionally for over 30 years.  Along with his root principles of swing and be-bop, gospel and the blues are essential core elements of Byrd’s expansive performance style.  Byrd has performed with such prominent artists as Wynton Marsalis, Charlie Byrd, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Tim Green, Warren Wolf, Jeff Majors, and Yolanda Adams, just to name a sampling of his affiliations.  In addition to his own recording efforts as a leader, Byrd has guested on over a dozen CD’s.  As an educator Byrd formerly was a Music Lecturer at his alma mater, McDaniel College (formerly Western Maryland College), where he completed his undergraduate degree.  He achieved his Masters in Music in 2001 from Morgan State University. Drummer/percussionist Alphonso M. Young, Jr. is an artist with few peers on his instruments.  His versatile, deeply imaginative style of performance has charmed audiences across the globe.  Among Alphonso’s affiliations have been performances with such noted artists as Vanessa Rubin, Randy Brecker, George Colligan, Buck Hill, Ira Sullivan, Othello Molineaux, Rebecca Parris, Jon Secada and the late Bob Berg.  Young also toured Europe drumming with the Broadway show “Sophisticated Ladies”.  His education career includes music instructor with Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, and on the faculty of Shenandoah University. The Eric Byrd Trio brings a wealth of ensemble and individual gifts to any recording prospects and bandstand circumstances.  One listen reveals they are also perennial audience favorites.  Additionally their collective skills make them ideal for residency and other humanities program opportunities.