Baker Artist Portfolios

The Eric Byrd Trio (EBT) are internationally acclaimed jazz artists whose music draws from the rich lineage of swing, bebop, gospel, and blues while speaking with a contemporary voice. For more than a quarter-century, the Maryland-based trio has performed throughout the United States and around the world, earning a reputation for high-energy performances, expressive improvisation, and deep musical authenticity.

Their achievements include a Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artist Award and a Governor’s Citation recognizing over 20 years of global touring. The Trio’s recording Twenty received the 2022 Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) for Jazz Recording of the Year, affirming their standing as one of the region’s premier jazz ensembles. Their latest release, Echoes of Arrival (2025), signals a forward-looking chapter—honoring the masters while extending the tradition through original compositions and bold reinterpretations.

EBT has appeared at major festivals and concert halls, including the DC Jazz Festival and the Montreux Jazz Festival, and has shared the stage with iconic artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Mike Stern, and Yolanda Adams. They are proud members of the Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster and have served as Kennedy Center/U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors, presenting American jazz in South America, Central America, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East.

Education is central to the Trio’s mission. Each member holds advanced academic credentials and regularly leads workshops, residencies, and clinics worldwide. Their educational programming highlights the historical and cultural connections between African-American musical traditions and modern jazz.

Grounded in tradition and driven by innovation, the Eric Byrd Trio continues to connect audiences across generations through music that swings, inspires, and endures.