Blackjack

by Donald Byrd

Overview

One of three Donald Byrd albums from 1967 (the end of his hard bop period), this recording features the trumpeter/leader with altoist Sonny Red, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley, pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Walter Booker, and drummer Billy Higgins. The six tunes (five of which are originals by Byrd or Red) are all quite obscure and to one extent or another quite explorative. One can sense that Byrd wanted to break through the boundaries and rules of hard bop but had not yet decided on his future directions. The music does swing and highlights include "West of the Pecos" and "Beale Street"; Byrd and Red in particular are in excellent form throughout the date. ~ Scott Yanow

Product Details

Release Date:	12/16/2022
Label:	Universal
UPC:	4988031541074
Rank:	70952

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Donald Byrd   Primary Artist,Trumpet
Charlie Byrd   Primary Artist
Eddie Khan   Bass
Jimmy Heath   Sax (Tenor)
Sonny Red   Sax (Alto)
Billy Higgins   Drums
Walter Booker   Bass
Albert "Tootie" Heath   Drums
Cedar Walton   Piano
Hank Mobley   Sax (Tenor)
Herbie Hancock   Piano

Technical Credits

Francis Wolff   Photography
Donald Byrd   Composer
Jimmy Heath   Composer
Reid Miles   Cover Design
Sylvester Kyner   Composer
Ron McMaster   Mastering
Rudy Van Gelder   Engineer
Michael Cuscuna   Producer,Reissue Producer
Mitch Farber   Composer
Alfred Lion   Producer
Nat Hentoff   Liner Notes