The Blackbyrds

Performing on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at the Q Stage  |  9:00 pm

Formed in Washington, D.C. in 1973 by legendary trumpeter Donald Byrd, The Blackbyrds began as a group of Howard University students selected to “bridge the gap between academia and the real world”—a musical experiment that quickly blossomed into one of the most influential jazz-funk bands of the 1970s. 

From their debut album The Blackbyrds (1974) to landmark releases like City Life (1975), the group fused jazz sophistication, R&B groove, gospel warmth, and funk energy. Their music wasn’t just skillful—it was accessible, danceable, and deeply rooted in Black musical tradition. 

Across their early career, The Blackbyrds scored hits that resonated widely, perhaps none more iconic than Walking in Rhythm — a smooth, soulful anthem that climbed the R&B and pop charts and propelled the band beyond purely jazz audiences. Meanwhile, songs like Rock Creek Park delivered unmistakable funk grooves that captured a sense of urban life and later became touchstones for sampling in hip-hop and R&B, underlining the group’s long-lasting influence. 

After a hiatus beginning in the early 1980s, The Blackbyrds reformed — with original members among the lineup — and continue to perform and record today. Their enduring presence reminds audiences that great music transcends generations.

Whether you know them from the silky smooth grooves of “Walking in Rhythm,” the funky pulse of “Rock Creek Park,” or their deeper catalog of jazz-funk fusion, The Blackbyrds stand as a bridge between eras — classic jazz roots and modern urban soul, crafted with precision, warmth, and an unmistakable groove.