Oakland » Calendar » The Blackbyrds at Yoshi's Oakland
The Blackbyrds at Yoshi's Oakland
Courtesy of Andrew Shepherd | Posted on August 1, 2012
Where
Yoshi's Oakland
510 Embarcadero West
Oakland, CA
Map
510-238-9200
When
Sat, August 11, 2012
8pm & 10pm
Save the date
Musicians
About
The Blackbyrds were a jazz-funk group with thick R&B streaks running down their backs. Assembled by Donald Byrd in 1974, the group's original members -- percussionist Pericles "Perk" Jacobs, Jr., drummer Keith Killgo, keyboardist Kevin Toney, reeds player Allan Barnes, bassist Joe Hall, guitarist Barney Perry -- were mined from Howard University's music department, where the doctor and jazz legend was an instructor. (Other key players included guitarist Orville Saunders and saxophonist/flautist Steve Johnson.) During The Blackbyrds' nearly decade-long existence, the group cut a handful of LPs (1973's The Blackbyrds, 1974's Flying Start, 1975's City Life, 1976's Unfinished Business, 1977's Action, 1980's Better Days); scored films (1975's Cornbread, Earl and Me); and supported artists like B.B...