empty cell The Blackbyrds
The Blackbyrds are an American jazz-funk band formed in 1973 in Washington D.C. under the leadership of trumpeter Donald Byrd. The group consisted of Howard University students: Kevin Toney (keyboards), Keith Killgo (vocals, drums), Joe Hall (bass guitar), Allan Barnes (saxophone, clarinet), and Barney Perry (guitar). Their debut album, "The Blackbyrds," was released in 1974 and featured tracks like "Do It, Fluid" and "Gut Level." The following album, "Flying Start" (1974), included the hit "Walking in Rhythm," which reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned a Grammy nomination. The 1975 album "City Life" featured "Happy Music" and "Rock Creek Park," both of which became popular and were frequently sampled by hip-hop artists. The band was active until 1981 and reunited in 2012.
