Jaki Byard

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Jaki Byard
Birth name John Arthur Byard
Born (1922-06-15)June 15, 1922
Worcester, Massachusetts
Died February 11, 1999(1999-02-11) (aged 76)
New York, NY
Occupations Musician
Bandleader
Composer
Instruments Piano
Saxophone
Trumpet
Guitar
Years active 1960s–1999
Labels Candid, Prestige, Futura, MPS, Muse Records, Soul Note

John Arthur "Jaki" Byard (June 15, 1922 in Worcester, Massachusetts – February 11, 1999 in New York City) was an American jazz pianist and composer who also played trumpet and saxophone, among several other instruments. He was noteworthy for his eclectic style, incorporating everything from ragtime and stride to free jazz. In describing his contribution to the Phil Woods album Musique du Bois, National Public Radio described him as "one of the most compelling and versatile pianists in jazz".[1]

Byard began playing professionally at the age of 15. After serving in World War II he toured with Earl Bostic in the late 1940s,[2] and, by then based in Boston, made his recording debut with Charlie Mariano in 1951. Later, he was a member of the bands of Herb Pomeroy (1952–55, recording in 1957) and Maynard Ferguson (1959–62).[2]

Moving to New York, Byard recorded extensively with Charles Mingus in the periods 1962 to 1964 and 1970, touring Europe with him in 1964. He also made important recordings as a sideman with Eric Dolphy, Booker Ervin and Sam Rivers. As a leader, he recorded a string of albums for the Prestige label during the 1960s. He fronted an occasional big band, the Apollo Stompers. He taught at the New England Conservatory, Manhattan School of Music, Hartt School of Music and the New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music.[3]

Byard died of a gunshot wound in 1999.[4] The circumstances surrounding his death have not been determined.

Contents

Discography [edit]

As leader [edit]

As sideman [edit]

With Chris Connor

  • Two's Company (1961)

With Eric Dolphy

With Don Ellis

With Booker Ervin

With Ricky Ford

  • Manhattan Plaza (1978)
  • Manhattan Blues (1989)
  • Ebony Rhapsody (1990)

With Roland Kirk

With Eric Kloss

With Michael Marcus

  • This Happening (1996)
  • Involution (1997)

With Charlie Mariano

  • Boston Days (1953)

With Makanda Ken McIntyre

  • Home (1975)

With Charles Mingus

With Ray Nance

  • Body and Soul (1969)

With Herb Pomeroy

  • Life is a Many Splendored Gig (1957)

With Dannie Richmond

With Howard Riley

  • Feathers with Jaki (1981)

With Sam Rivers

With Phil Woods

References [edit]

  1. ^ Morrison, Nick; Abe Beeson (2008-08-11). "Jazz for the front porch". NPR. Retrieved 2008-09-22. 
  2. ^ a b Feather, Leonard & Gitler, Ira (2007). The Biographical Encyclopedia of Jazz. Oxford University Press.
  3. ^ Watrous, Peter (1999-02-15). "Jaki Byard, a Jazz Musician And Teacher, Is Dead at 76". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-14. 
  4. ^ Jacobs, Andrew (1999-02-14). "Jazz Artist Jaki Byard Died of Bullet Wound". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-03-14. 
Authority control
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