Like jazz musicians of the mid-20th century, Winston Byrd developed his chops and style on the road in bands big and small, rather than in the classroom. Planning to go New York's The New School, he detoured to go on the road and never returned to college. Enamored with high note playing, he worked at being able to articulate in the 'statosphere', and then he became a multi-talented improviser in swing, hard-bop, post-bop and smooth jazz.
"I've been playing a Yamaha trumpet since I was in junior high and it's still the only trumpet I'll play, hands down!!!"
Winston Byrd initially became interested in jazz as a seventh grader when he heard Maynard Ferguson's playing of 'Give It One.' Soon after, he witnessed Dizzy Gillespie and Jon Faddis trading solos on 'Groovin High' on a Grammy Awards telecast. A graduate of Gateway Regional High School in southern New Jersey, Mr. Byrd has had a career more like his forbears than his contemporaries; like jazz musicians of the mid-20th century, he developed his chops and style on the road in bands big and small, rather than in the classroom. Planning to go New York's The New School, he detoured to go on the road and never returned to college. Enamored with high note playing, he worked at being able to articulate in the 'statosphere', and then he became a multi-talented improviser in swing, hard-bop, post-bop and smooth jazz.
Winston earned gigs as a lead trumpeter in big bands including those of Illinois Jacquet, David Murray, Slide Hampton, Louie Bellson and Oliver Lake, as well as the Count Basie Orchestra, Duke Ellington Orchestra and Blood, Sweat and Tears. Trumpeter Jon Faddis served as an early role model and mentor. Byrd went on to play in the trumpet section of the Faddis-led 'Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band'. Another influence and current mentor is Arturo Sandoval. Winston has also performed, recorded, and/or toured with a myriad of big name jazz and pop artists and orchestras including The Chi-Lites, Patti Austin, The Dells, The Grateful Dead, Lionel Hampton, Michael Bolton, Illinois Jacquet Big Band, Roy Hargrove Big Band, David Murray, Oliver Lake Big Band, Aretha Franklin, Charles Tolliver Big Band, Natalie Cole, Arturo Sandoval, The Village Vanguard Orchestra, Chucho Valdes, Eric Benet, Louie Bellson, T.S. Monk, Chaka Khan, Clark Terry, James Moody, Shirley Horn, Paquito d' Rivera, Lucky Peterson, Diane Schuur, Usher, Abbey Lincoln and the Charles Mingus Big Band among others.
For the last several years, Mr. Byrd, has led his own band and has recorded a CD entitled, Soul Searchin. His compositions can also be heard on the T.S. Monk release, Higher Ground. Byrd is a current member of the T.S. Monk Band.
