Jazz Articles about The Blackbyrds

About The Blackbyrds

Multiple Reviews

Opa and The Blackbyrds: Coveted 1970s Jazz-Funk

by Mark Sullivan
July 29, 2025

Opa released only two albums before disbanding in the early 1980s. While neither of their albums found commercial success during their initial releases (despite the high-profile personalities involved), both titles gained underground followings over the following decades. The Blackbyrds' City Life celebrates its golden anniversary. “Happy Music," the dancefloor-ready title track and the group's heavily sampled signature hit, “Rock Creek Park" are the showpieces. The LP re-releases are a gift to DJs and samplers who have had to do serious ...

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Album Review

Blackbyrds & Charles Earland: At the Movies

by Derek Taylor
May 1, 2001

Basketball and Blaxploitation collide courtside in the film Cornbread, Earl and Me a mid-70s urban blockbuster with a soundtrack scored by Donald Byrd, which comprises the first part of this recent Prestige two-fer. Bringing in his band of former pupil protégés The Blackbyrds and backing them with a studio orchestra Byrd set about tailoring music to the cinematic tale of a inner-city basketball star shot down by neighborhood cops. The album falls prey to the usual plight of many soundtracks. ...