Memorial Concert for Charlie Byrd
Byrd & Brass Reprise
The Annapolis Brass Quintet
The Joe Byrd Trio
Saint Anne's Church - Annapolis, Maryland - December 17, 2000
These recordings are not to be downloaded
In April 1993 the Annapolis Brass Quintet performed its farewell concert here in Annapolis, bringing to a close a twenty-two-year career as America's first full-time performing brass ensemble. Tonight the Quintet comes together in its first public performance in more than seven years.
Byrd & Brass was conceived in 1985 as a one-time pairing for the Brass Chamber Music Society of Annapolis' Artists Series. Given Charlie Byrd's international reputation, the enthusiastic response to this idea was not all that amazing. What could not have been predicted was that Byrd & Brass would continue to evolve into more than fifty performances and two recordings over seven years. This success was thanks mostly to Charlie. It was his nature never to rest; he never stopped listening, thinking, practicing, learning and growing. It was this attitude, inextricably linked with his legendary musicianship, which kept Byrd & Brass concerts such a consistent source of joy and inspiration for those of us privileged to work with Charlie Byrd.
Byrd & Brass was conceived in 1985 as a one-time pairing for the Brass Chamber Music Society of Annapolis' Artists Series. Given Charlie Byrd's international reputation, the enthusiastic response to this idea was not all that amazing. What could not have been predicted was that Byrd & Brass would continue to evolve into more than fifty performances and two recordings over seven years. This success was thanks mostly to Charlie. It was his nature never to rest; he never stopped listening, thinking, practicing, learning and growing. It was this attitude, inextricably linked with his legendary musicianship, which kept Byrd & Brass concerts such a consistent source of joy and inspiration for those of us privileged to work with Charlie Byrd.
The Joe Byrd Trio
Joe Byrd -- bass; Chuck Redd -- drums & vibes; Steve Abshire -- guitar
The Annapolis Brass Quintet
David Cran -- trumpet; Robert Suggs -- trumpet; Sharon Tiebert -- horn;
Wayne Wells -- trombone; Robert Posten -- bass trombone & tuba
Joe Byrd -- bass; Chuck Redd -- drums & vibes; Steve Abshire -- guitar
The Annapolis Brass Quintet
David Cran -- trumpet; Robert Suggs -- trumpet; Sharon Tiebert -- horn;
Wayne Wells -- trombone; Robert Posten -- bass trombone & tuba
The following selections are but a sampling from Byrd & Brass Reprise 2000
A recording of the entire memorial concert will be posted in December 2020 to mark
the twentieth anniversary of this December 17, 2000 performance.
To read the Baltimore Sun Review of Byrd & Brass: Reprise 2000 Click Here
A recording of the entire memorial concert will be posted in December 2020 to mark
the twentieth anniversary of this December 17, 2000 performance.
To read the Baltimore Sun Review of Byrd & Brass: Reprise 2000 Click Here
The Annapolis Brass Quintet opens with 17th century German music
1. CANZONA BERGAMASCA (1621) by SAMUEL SCHEIDT
To listen, click (or bounce tap) the arrow at the left end of each Audio Bar
> arrow comes II - it-may then take 10--20 seconds before sound begins
1. CANZONA BERGAMASCA (1621) by SAMUEL SCHEIDT
To listen, click (or bounce tap) the arrow at the left end of each Audio Bar
> arrow comes II - it-may then take 10--20 seconds before sound begins
For opening remarks by ABQ founding member, bass trombonist & tubist
ROBERT POSTEN
Click or bounce tap the arrow at the left end of the Audio Bar Below
> arrow comes II - it-may then take 10--20 seconds before sound begins
ROBERT POSTEN
Click or bounce tap the arrow at the left end of the Audio Bar Below
> arrow comes II - it-may then take 10--20 seconds before sound begins
The Joe Byrd Trio and ABQ
2. MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT (1944)
by KARL SUESSDORF; JOHN BLACKBURN
Arranged especially for this concert by Brent Wallarab
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
2. MOONLIGHT IN VERMONT (1944)
by KARL SUESSDORF; JOHN BLACKBURN
Arranged especially for this concert by Brent Wallarab
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
The Annapolis Brass Quintet
3. I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY (1864)
by J.B. CALKIN; H.W. LONGFELLOW
Arranged for Byrd & Brass by C. Warren Kellerhouse
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
3. I HEARD THE BELLS ON CHRISTMAS DAY (1864)
by J.B. CALKIN; H.W. LONGFELLOW
Arranged for Byrd & Brass by C. Warren Kellerhouse
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
The Joe Byrd Trio and ABQ
4. CHRISTMAS SONG (1945)
by ROBERT WILLS; MEL TORMÉ
Arranged for Byrd & Brass by C. Warren Kellerhouse
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
4. CHRISTMAS SONG (1945)
by ROBERT WILLS; MEL TORMÉ
Arranged for Byrd & Brass by C. Warren Kellerhouse
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
5. HAVE YOURSELF A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS (1943)
by HUGH MARTIN
Arranged for Byrd & Brass by C Warren Kellerhouse
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
by HUGH MARTIN
Arranged for Byrd & Brass by C Warren Kellerhouse
To Hear Click > Audio Bar Below
[ There may be 10-20 second delay before sound begins.]
This concludes our snippet of music from the 2000 Byrd & Brass Reprise Concert
in tribute to Charlie Byrd (b. September 18, 1925 - d. December 2, 1999)
We'd like also to share the following spoken tribute made that evening by Charlie Byrd Trio's drummer, Chuck Redd.
As it says in your program, 'Five Gentle Pieces for a Gentle Guitarist,' I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe Charlie Byrd. However, I think it should also be noted that after working with him for 19 years I saw him as an extremely, maybe deceptively, strong person as well. And I think his artistic strength continued even through enormous physical setbacks. Anyone who was lucky enough to be with him the last few years realizes that he continued to grow as an artist and played better and better through his entire life. We even made a record a couple of months before he passed away and he rose to the occasion and played his heart out. He worked harder than anyone else did in the studio and he was able to do that . . . so I think we’ve all drawn strength from that. His gentle side often came through except occasionally at an airline counter maybe (laughter,) but I think to remember his strength and his ability to continue to grow musically and spiritually--I think really inspired all of us.
in tribute to Charlie Byrd (b. September 18, 1925 - d. December 2, 1999)
We'd like also to share the following spoken tribute made that evening by Charlie Byrd Trio's drummer, Chuck Redd.
As it says in your program, 'Five Gentle Pieces for a Gentle Guitarist,' I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe Charlie Byrd. However, I think it should also be noted that after working with him for 19 years I saw him as an extremely, maybe deceptively, strong person as well. And I think his artistic strength continued even through enormous physical setbacks. Anyone who was lucky enough to be with him the last few years realizes that he continued to grow as an artist and played better and better through his entire life. We even made a record a couple of months before he passed away and he rose to the occasion and played his heart out. He worked harder than anyone else did in the studio and he was able to do that . . . so I think we’ve all drawn strength from that. His gentle side often came through except occasionally at an airline counter maybe (laughter,) but I think to remember his strength and his ability to continue to grow musically and spiritually--I think really inspired all of us.
INDEPENDENT
Obituary: Charlie Byrd
Steve Voice| Saturday 4 December 1999
[to read click here]
____________________
Obituary: Charlie Byrd
Steve Voice| Saturday 4 December 1999
[to read click here]
____________________