Baker Artist Portfolios

ERIC BYRD and THE ERIC BYRD TRIO is comprised of musicians whose vision is to glorify traditional jazz while providing an energetic and modern approach to standards and original compositions at the same time. As true a ambassador of jazz Eric Byrd has performed internationally for over 10 years. With several studio albums released, the Trio has enjoyed immense popularity and recognition from fans and government officials alike. They are formerly Kennedy Center/United States State Department Jazz Ambassadors which provided them the opportunity to tour countries like Colombia, Bolivia, Chile, Peru, Honduras and Trinidad. Their international touring includes concerts at the Montreux Switzerland Jazz Festival, multiple tours of South America, an appearance at a world music festival in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the country of Estonia,Italy and Scotland. Along with the principles of swing and be-bop, rousing gospel-tinged chords and trilling blues lines are fundamental elements of his performance style. Byrd has performed with Wynton Marsalis, Mike Stern, Carl Grubbs, Reggie Workman (John Coltrane), Keter Betts, Paul Carr, Buck Hill, Ethel Ennis, Marlena Shaw, Charlie Byrd and Ernie Andrews, just to name a few. Along with his own recordings as a leader, he also guests on over a dozen CD’s by others. He is currently a half-time Music Lecturer at McDaniel College, formerly Western Maryland College, where he completed his undergraduate degree. He received his Master’s in Music in 2001 from Morgan State. He is the primary composer of the group.