Legendary jazz bass player Joe Byrd is one musician who has definitely earned a smoothly melodic retirement party. This Saturday at An die Musik Live, he will get just that — and star in the festivities as well. Along with his trio that includes Chuck Redd on vibes and Nate Najar on acoustic guitar, he will pay tribute to his brother and longtime trio member, Charlie Byrd.
The group will spoon out a classic sampling of the standard jazz repertoire that includes the works of Duke Ellington, George Gershwin and the bossa nova of Antonio Carlos Jobim.
Indeed, the fare is worthy of a man whose career has spanned over 40 years, who has performed at the White House for three presidents; traveled the world as a Good Will Ambassador; recorded several jazz and “Jazz Samba” albums and hung with the likes of Teddy Wilson, Mose Allison and Coleman Hawkins.
In the greater scheme of career success and musicianship, Joe Byrd has come full circle.
“Joe got his professional start when he was studying at Peabody and playing little clubs around Baltimore,” said his wife, Elana. “Now he’ll play [one of his last] concerts in Baltimore.”
Asked whether he was going to miss the work, Byrd said, “it remains to be seen” and “he’ll definitely be playing around the house [and] practicing at some level every day” to keep the fingers sharp.
In trios where the bass typically plays rhythm and augments the melody instrument in the group, Byrd was that rare and wonderful lyrical bass player infusing his brand of melody into the pieces as well.
“The basic function of the bass is to keep the rhythm and do a bass line, [but] when I’m playing a duo with somebody, I have a lot more freedom than in [larger groups],” said Byrd, who also plays acoustic guitar. “When you have fewer people, you can jump off the track a little.”
Redd agrees, adding, “The music is very much like a language. We learn the notes and the chords, which is similar to learning words, add our sense of rhythm and dynamics, and then converse.”
If you go
Joe Byrd’s Tribute to Charlie Byrd Trio
» Venue: An die Musik Live409 N. Charles St., Baltimore
» When: 8 and 9:30 p.m. Saturday
» Tickets: $25/$20 students and seniors
» Info: 888-221-6170; 410-385-2638; andiemusiklive.com
