The Blackbyrds 50th Anniversary Finale @ Bethesda Theater

Name: The Blackbyrds 50th Anniversary Finale @ Bethesda Theater
Start: 2024-10-26T20:00:00-04:00
Location: Bethesda Theater

Schedule

Sat Oct 26 2024 at 08:00 pm

UTC-04:00

Location

Bethesda Theater | Bethesda, MD

The Blackbyrds are performing their final concert of the year celebrating their 50th anniversary as pioneers of jazz funk and smooth jazz as well as one of the most accomplished music bands ever from the DC area. They came together 50 years ago when they were Howard University students under the guidance of their music professor, the late great jazz trumpeter Donald Byrd who became their manager and producer. They created a unique jazz funk sound combined with soulful harmonies that made a big impact on the music charts in the 1970s.

The Blackbyrds' biggest hit songs were "Walking In Rhythm", their Grammy nominated million selling smash hit on both the R&B and pop charts; "Happy Music", an uplifting party anthem that was their biggest R&B hit; "Do It Fluid", their first hit song released 50 years ago; and "Rock Creek Park", their most beloved song known for its infectious groove and famous verse “doin’ it in the park, doin’ it after dark, oh yeah…Rock Creek Park!” Among their other hit songs were "Flying High", "Time Is Moving", "Soft And Easy" and "Supernatural Feeling."

The Blackbyrds have been touring around the world for their 50th anniversary and look forward to performing their finale in the DC area where they are most appreciated. Their original core members as well as new members are all from the DC area led by bandleader Keith Killgo who is sharing his musical legacy with local youth as a high school music teacher in DC. Their crowd pleasing performance features all of their most popular songs plus those by Donald Byrd including "Black Byrd", "Flight Time", "Places And Spaces" and "(Fallin' Like) Dominoes."