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Discography

Winston Byrd Once Upon A Time Called Right Now
   
Winston Byrd Soul Searching
 
Winston Byrd Tao of Pooh
 

Biography

Winston Byrd Jazz Trumpet

Winston Byrd is an accomplished trumpet player who has built a reputation for melding his professional style to a wide range of musical genre including classical, blues, pop, jazz and improvisation. Performing since the age of 17, Winston has devoted himself to music while honing his skills on tour, in the studio and performing live with legendary names in the industry.

At the forefront of the jazz-fusion movement, Winston continues a love of jazz that began in the 7th grade where legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Maynard Ferguson and Arturo Sandoval began to influence his playing. After graduating from high school in 1991, he decided not to attend New York University to study Clinical Psychology and instead set out to make his mark on the music industry, and jazz specifically. His reputation began to soar as his artistry for hitting the higher notes grew and captured the attention of many in the music industry.

It was the early attention of fellow trumpeter Jon Faddis who would not only become a role model and mentor, but also who opened the door for Winston to become a member of the world famous Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band.

Winston continues to hone his craft, pushing his playing and composing styles in new directions and constantly evolving as a musician. His professionalism has earned him recognition and praise from his peers as he cements his position as one of today’s leading jazz performers.

Winston has had the great privilege of working with such legendary musicians as:

Usher
Goapelé
T.S. Monk
Meghan Trainor
Don Rickles
Illinois Jacquet
Mary J. Bilge
The O’Jays
The BlackByrds
Teena Marie
Kevin Mahogany
Liz Calloway
Slide Hampton
Louie Bellson
David Murray
Eric Benet

Paquito D’ Rivera
Clark Terry
Lucky Peterson
Molly Ringwald
Bernard Purdie
Diane Schurr
Shirley Horn
Chucho Valdes
Aretha Franklin
The Temptations
Annie Lennox
David “Fathead” Newman
Earth, Wind & Fire
Abbey Lincoln
Ernie Andrews
James Torme

The Stylistics
Patti Austin
The Dells
The Grateful Dead
Blood, Sweat and Tears
Michael Bolton
Natalie Cole
Chaka Khan
Lionel Hampton
Steve March Torme
Pieces Of A Dream
Claudio Roditi
Larry Coryell
Carmen Lundy
James Moody

Will.I.Am & The Black-Eyed Peas
Craig Robinson & The Nasty Delicious
The Count Basie Orchestra
The Duke Ellington Orchestra
Roy Hargrove’s Big Band
Oliver Lake’s Big Band
Charles Tolliver’s Big Band
The Mingus Big Band
The Gerald Wilson Orchestra
The Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band
The Frank Capp Juggernaut
The Buddy Collette Big Band
Mary Wilson (of the Supremes)
Andre 3000 Benjamin
The Don Ellis Reunion Big Band

Stop the Presses

An aural feast where Byrd is Exec Chef, the production delivers superbly-performed ass-kicking funk, cognac-smooth contemporary, and white-hot straight-ahead jazz for take-out.

[Once Upon a Time Called Right Now] is relentlessly soulful, swinging, funky and a true labor of love for Byrd and his giant cast of phenomenal musicians accompanying him on this glorious project.

Dr. Jazz Devon ‘Doc’ Wendell Review

With all of its variety and diversity, Once Upon A Time Called Right Now is an excellent showcase for the talented Winston Byrd, a trumpeter who is on the brink of gaining the recognition that he deserves.

Scott Lanow Review

A real mix of styles and tempos here [on Once Upon A Time Called Right Now] with everything from Duke Ellington to BeBop to the sunny funky soul of Incognito thrown into the mix!

Soul Brother Records

Byrd has a way of making the old sound new, and the new sound classic [on the newly released album, Once Upon A Time Called Right Now].

[Once Upon A Time Called Right Now] calls on a team of 30 musicians who support Byrd’s horn work in various combinations through the many contexts in which Byrd is so at ease.

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