Search - Eric Byrd :: The Eric Byrd Trio

The CD "The Eric Byrd Trio" is a straight-ahead, acoustic, piano-led jazz trio record in the most classic and modern sense of the phrase. Recorded mostly on a single day in October of 2001, the CD draws upon the power and energy of the three principals: pianist Eric Byrd, acoustic bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and drummer Alphonso Young, Jr. By combining standards that illustrate the storied past of jazz, (Under a Blanket of Blue and The Chant), with original compositions of Byrd's that push the piano trio into the future (the minor blues of Taken By Force, the montuno based Fall of Night, and even the jazz/hip-hop tune Jazz Thing), this CD is a blend of the old plus new. Khalsa's harmonic foundation combined with Young's driving pulse nudges Byrd's blues based be-bop lines into overdrive, without sacrificing their delicate treatments of the original ballad Goldie or the classic When You're Smiling. All in all, it's a fine record, produced by Ron Kearns (Terrell St! afford), and featuring some of the best jazz music available.