Early life (1912-1932)
Both of Byas' parents were musical: his mother played the piano and father the clarinet. Byas started his training in classical music, first on the violin, then on the clarinet and finally on the alto saxophone, which he played until the end of the 1920s. Multi-instrumentalist Benny Carter was his idol at this time. He started playing in local orchestras at the age of 17, with the likes of Bennie Moten, Terrence Holder and Walter Page’s Blue Devils. At Langston College, Oklahoma, he founded and led his own college band, "Don Carlos and His Collegiate Ramblers", during 1931-32.
West Coast (1932-1937)
Byas switched to the tenor saxophone after he moved to West Coast and played with various Los Angeles bands. In 1933, he took part in a West coast tour with Bert Johnson’s Sharps and Flats. He worked in Lionel Hampton’s band at the Paradise Club in 1935 along with the reed player and arranger Eddie Barefield and the trombonist Tyree Glenn. He was a member of various other bands in the area including those of Eddie Barefield, Buck Clayton (1936), Lorenzo Flennoy and Charlie Echols.
New York (1937-1946)
In 1937, Byas moved to New York to work with the Eddie Mallory band, accompanying Mallory’s wife, the singer Ethel Waters, on tour and at the Cotton Club. He had a brief stint with arranger Don Redman's band in 1938 and later in 1939-1940. He recorded his first solo in May 1939: "Is This to Be My Souvenir" with Timme Rosenkrantz and his Barrelhouse Barons for Victor. He played with the bands of such leaders as Lucky Millinder, Andy Kirk, Edgar Hayes and Benny Carter. He spent about a year in Andy Kirk’s band, recording with him between March 1939 and January 1940, including a beautiful short solo on "You Set Me on Fire". In September 1940, he had an 8 bar solo on "Practice Makes Perfect" recorded by Billie Holiday. He participated in sessions with the pianist Pete Johnson, trumpeter Hot Lips Page, and singer Big Joe Turner. In 1941 at Minton's Playhouse he played with Charlie Christian, Thelonious Monk and Kenny Clarke in after hours sessions.
In early 1941, after a short stay with Paul Bascomb, he had his big break when Count Basie chose him to succeed the post of Lester Young in his big band.
"Harvard Blues", Jimmy Rushing’s vocal version of George Frazier’s tune, recorded November 17
July 24, 1942, small group session with Buck Clayton, Count Basie, and his rhythm section (Freddie Green, Walter Page, Jo Jones) recording "Royal Garden Blues" and "Sugar Blues"
August 1942 went to Hollywood with Basie's band to record for the film Reveille with Beverly
January 1943, another film Stage Door Canteen
November 1943, last recording with Basie
Started to play in small bands in New York clubs
He played with Coleman Hawkins at the Yacht Club (1944)
Associated with beboppers such as Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, George Wallington, Oscar Pettiford and Max Roach at the Onyx Club from early 1944
Recorded with the above under Coleman Hawkins six sides, which are said to be the first bebop recordings: "Woody 'n You", February 16 and 22, 1944.
May 1944, shared tenor duties with Hawkins in the latter's "Sax Ensemble"
with Gillespie, recorded "Be-Bop", "Good Bait" and "Salt Peanuts", January 1945 for Manor records
Mary Lou Williams, Benny Goodman, Hot Lips Page
May 1944 leader of his own band, performances at the "Three Deuces"
Recorded for small labels (Savoy, Jamboree, National, Disc, Arista, Super, American, Hub, Gotham)
Had a hit with "Laura" by David Raksin, the title tune of Otto Preminger's movie of the same name (1944)
Despite his bebop associations, Byas always remained deeply rooted in the sounds of swing. He started out by emulating Coleman Hawkins, but Byas always cited Art Tatum as his greater influence: "I haven't got any style, I just blow like Art".
January 4, 1945 - Clyde Hart, singer "Rubberlegs" Williams, Gillespie, Parker, Trummy Young
January 9, 1945: Gillespie, Parker, Byas and Young record "Be Bop" and "Salt Peanuts"
Town Hall concert, duet with Slam Stewart in 1945
Savoy sessions in 1945-46
January 11, 1946, Esquire magazine, 2nd place in tenor sax
February 22, recorded with Gillespie, "52nd Street Theme", "Night in Tunisia"
Paris (1946-1961)
In September 1946, Byas went to Europe to tour as one of the stars in Don Redman's big band. The expedition has taken the band through Denmark, Belgium, Switzerland, and Germany. They were the first all black American orchestra to appear in the French capital since the liberation. Byas, like some others in Redman's orchestra, forgot to return across the Atlantic. After a few bookings took him to Belgium and Spain, he finally settled in Paris, and was given a chance to record almost immediately.
While still in Geneva he recorded "Laura" and "How High the Moon". In December 1946 he recorded for the first time in France, with Redman, Tyree Glenn and Peanuts Holland.
Recorded for the Swing and Blue Star labels (January 1947) working with Eddie Barclay.
The years 1947 and 1948 found Byas in Barcelona, where he moved to enjoy the lower cost of living and the thriving atmosphere. He met many friends and had plenty of work. The pianist Tete Montoliu sneaked into the Copacabana Club in Barcelona to hear the great saxophone player. Byas was at the top of his form in these years, performing with Bernard Hilda's orchestra (August 1947), Francisco Sanchez Ortega, and Luis Rovira.
New Year's 1949, Bill Coleman; in the autumn toured with Buck Clayton.
From 1948 onwards, Byas became a familiar figure not only around the Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris, but also on the Riviera, where he could be seen in Saint-Tropez sporting a mask, tuba, flippers and an underwater spear-gun. The tenor found work, could record regularly and had many friends. They adored not only his musical talent but also his skills at the pool table, as a sportsman (fishing and diving) and a chef who dished up Louisiana-style menus to the numerous admirers (mostly ladies) that would be found around this real bon vivant.
When Mary Lou Williams went to live in Paris from 1952 to 1954, the two of them renewed the friendship they formed when they played together in the Andy Kirk band in 1939-40 and later in 1944. They recorded together on Vogue in 1953. Byas also recorded with Beryl Booker in the same year.
Later life (1961-1972)
Byas relocated to the Netherlands and married a Dutch woman. He worked extensively in Europe, often with such touring American musicians as Art Blakey, Kenny Clarke, Duke Ellington, Gillespie, Jazz at the Philharmonic, Bud Powell, and Ben Webster. He also recorded with fado singer Amália Rodrigues during his time in Europe. Byas did not return to the U.S. until 1970, appearing at the Newport Jazz Festival.
He died in Amsterdam, of lung cancer.
Trivia
Byas' tenor saxophone (bought from his widow) is on display at Rutgers University's Institute of Jazz Studies.
Old Folks
Don Byas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't have a choice, you know I'm only young
I'm getting older, I'm getting smaller
Everybody tells you, "you've got to walk taller"
You did a war, and now you're poor
And like your friends, you're gonna get it in the end
You've heard it all before
It's not like I think
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
Can't put it off, you put it on
Don't ever stop, it doesn't last long
The younger folk, they
Don't understand, they
Back in the day, they
You're gonna get it in the end
You heard it all before
You can't go on much more
Its not like I think
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
Fall down for no reason
The churches are heaving
The old folks, they live the life
I'm down on the floor, I'll settle down, do what I tell ya.
You're gonna get it in the end,
You're gonna get it in the end
The old folks are losers, they can't work computers
The old folks are losers, they can't work computers
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
Fall down for no reason
The churches are heaving
The old folks remember why
The old folks are losers
They can't work computers
They die in December time
The lyrics to Don Byas's song Old Folks appear to comment on the contrasting perspectives between different generations. The singer reveals that they are young and naive in stating "I don't know I'm born, I'm only young, I don't have a choice, you know I'm only young." They acknowledge their own youth, whilst the "old folks" represent the opposite end of that spectrum, who have lived through experiences that the youth cannot yet comprehend. The singer seems to feel patronized by the advice they receive telling them "you've got to walk taller" and appear to resent the expectation placed on them to live up to an idealized version of themselves.
Furthermore, there is a sense of fatalism in these lyrics, with the mention of poverty and death. The lyric "You did a war, and now you're poor and like your friends, you're gonna get it in the end," acknowledges wider social issues beyond the control of individuals, resulting in disparities between generations.
However, the chorus of the song reveals that the singer does not entirely believe in the negative stereotypes of old age. They sarcastically remark, "The old folks are losers, they can't work computers, they die in December time." These statements are at odds with the singer's own experience in the world, where they have likely witnessed different realities lived by individuals much further along in age. Nonetheless, there is a hint of the singer's own aging process, as they mention that they are "getting smaller" and recognize that they too will "get it in the end".
Overall, Old Folks has been interpreted as a commentary on the interactions between the old and the young, and between different generations' experiences and perspectives.
Line by Line Meaning
I don't know I'm born, I'm only young
I lack experience and understanding since I am still young and new to life
I'm getting older, I'm getting smaller
I'm aging, and my physical abilities and life perspective seem to be dwindling
Everybody tells you, "you've got to walk taller"
People constantly remind you to have confidence and stand up for yourself
You did a war, and now you're poor
You fought for your country in a war and now you are left with financial struggles
And like your friends, you're gonna get it in the end
You, along with your friends, will eventually face the consequences of your actions
It's not like I think the old folks are losers
I don't believe that elderly people are inferior or worthless
They can't work computers, they die in December time
Older people struggle with modern technology and are more likely to pass away during the winter season
Can't put it off, you put it on
You can't delay things indefinitely, eventually you have to face them head-on
Don't ever stop, it doesn't last long
Don't give up or waste time because life is short and fleeting
The younger folk, they don't understand, they back in the day
Younger people lack the historical knowledge and context to fully comprehend the experiences of older generations
You're gonna get it in the end
Eventually, everyone will face the consequences of their actions
The old folks remember why
Elderly people still retain their memories and experiences from earlier in their lives
I'm down on the floor, I'll settle down, do what I tell ya. You're gonna get it in the end, You're gonna get it in the end
I acknowledge my current struggles and promise to submit to authority, as everyone will eventually face consequences for their actions
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ADAM PERRY, DANIEL CARTER, GILES PERRY, JASON PERRY, MARK CHAPMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind