Donald Byrd

Donald Byrd
Byrd in 1964
Background information
Birth name	Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II
Born	(1932-12-09)December 9, 1932 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	February 4, 2013(2013-02-04) (aged 80) Dover, Delaware, U.S.
Genres	Jazz jazz fusion crossover jazz
Occupation	Musician
Instruments	Trumpet flugelhorn vocals
Years active	1954–2013
Labels	Blue Note Prestige Verve Columbia Transition
Education	Wayne State University (B.A.) Manhattan School of Music

Donaldson Toussaint L'Ouverture Byrd II^[1] (December 9, 1932 – February 4, 2013) was an American jazz and rhythm & blues trumpeter and vocalist.^[2] A sideman for many other jazz musicians of his generation, Byrd was one of the few hard bop musicians who successfully explored funk and soul while remaining a jazz artist. As a bandleader, Byrd was an influence on the early career of Herbie Hancock and many others.