Charles L. Byrd (September 16, 1925 - November 30, 1999), better known as C… Read Full Bio ↴Charles L. Byrd (September 16, 1925 - November 30, 1999), better known as Charlie Byrd, was a famous jazz guitarist, born in Suffolk, Virginia. He was the only jazz guitarist of that era whose primary instrument was the classical guitar which gave him his uniquely identifiable sound.
Byrd primarily looked up to Django Reinhardt. He moved to Washington, D.C., to study classical guitar with the renowned Sophocles Papas. He later moved to Italy where he studied with Andrés Segovia. In the early 1960's he was on a State Department tour in South America where he was introduced to a new music, the bossa nova, which was the musical passion of Brazil beginning in the late 50's. Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz had been in Brazil about six months earlier than Byrd, also on a State Department tour, where he, too, was exposed to the bossa nova. A short time later Getz called Byrd in D.C. and suggested the idea that they collaborate on a bossa nova album. That album was the introduction of bossa nova to North America.
He is perhaps most well known as a collaborator with Stan Getz on the Jazz Samba album, which featured many themes of bossa nova, and of course, samba.
Byrd primarily looked up to Django Reinhardt. He moved to Washington, D.C., to study classical guitar with the renowned Sophocles Papas. He later moved to Italy where he studied with Andrés Segovia. In the early 1960's he was on a State Department tour in South America where he was introduced to a new music, the bossa nova, which was the musical passion of Brazil beginning in the late 50's. Jazz saxophonist Stan Getz had been in Brazil about six months earlier than Byrd, also on a State Department tour, where he, too, was exposed to the bossa nova. A short time later Getz called Byrd in D.C. and suggested the idea that they collaborate on a bossa nova album. That album was the introduction of bossa nova to North America.
He is perhaps most well known as a collaborator with Stan Getz on the Jazz Samba album, which featured many themes of bossa nova, and of course, samba.
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Phili Testa
Charlie is one of my favourite jazz guitarists... His acoustic instrument is a trademark! ❤
Franco Bauer
It is true that with age, a musician's technical ability tends to wear out, but what is known as musical intelligence remains intact. Byrd was a very talented guitarist and despite any "twiggy fingers" he's playing hella good here, if you know what I mean.
Nidia Smith
The one and only, Mr. Charlie Byrd!!!!!May rest in peace....Love it!!!!Thank you for sharing.
Bob Bradley
OMG, YESss
Joseph Sims
I used to go to a small jazz bar in Washington, D.C. and catch Charlie back in the late 50s, just about the time he got into Brazilian music. He went to Brazil on some kind of cultural exchange program and came back with Bossa Nova music. Then he introduced Stan Getz to the music. I fell so much in love with Brazilian music that I married a beautiful Brazilian exchange student, who imported me to Brazil. The rest is history!
logophile
Sweet story!
Kyle Cravens
What a story! My wife is from Brazil, as well, but we met here in the US. And she and her family introduced to me to Brazilian music. Would have been something to have seen Charlie play - especially in those days - a rare privilege! History in the making
Marco Grella
+Kyle Cravens amazing history's guys. Music unites people.
Kyle Cravens
Indeed!
Ibn al Wardi
Charlie's guitar playing takes me to another world altogether...