Jazz Legend Becomes Distinguished
Artist-in-Residence

Delaware State University has named internationally renowned jazz musician Dr. Donaldson T. L. Byrd, simply known as Donald Byrd among his peers, as a distinguished artist-in-residence. As such, Byrd will conduct master classes and give lectures, conduct fundraising on behalf of DSU, participate in performances when appropriate and serve as an ambassador for DSU.

A contemporary of DSU alumnus and famous jazz trumpeter Clifford Brown, Byrd became known as one of the top trumpeters of the jazz hard-bop genre and performed with notable musicians such as John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Herbie Hancock and Thelonious Monk.

In the 1970s, Byrd began to record jazz fusion, combining jazz with funk, soul and R&B. While teaching music at Howard University, he formed a jazz fusion group with his best students, calling them the Blackbyrds, and even produced an album called Black Byrd, which became Blue Notes Records’ highest-ever selling album. Byrd’s jazz fusion exploration expanded into the hip-hop genre in the 1990s.

Byrd last served as a distinguished artist-in-residence at DSU from 1996 to 2001. As an expression of his renewed commitment to the University, he has just established a $10,000 endowed scholarship fund in his name that will benefit music students at DSU.

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