Home » Member Page

Warren(Gilbert)Byrd

Warren Byrd is an Afro-American jazz pianist, vocalist, and composer known for his solo performances and tours, with a recent jazz album 'Truth Raised Twice' .

About Me

Warren Byrd, born on January 24, 1965, in Hartford, Connecticut, emerged from a musically inclined family as the youngest of sixteen children. His musical journey began at the age of 4, singing in the church choir, and by age 9, he was playing the piano, showing early signs of his profound musical talents. Byrd's formal music education was under the tutelage of church music director Thomassian Neely and furthered by lessons from R. Leslie Childs at South Catholic High School. His passion for music was paralleled by an interest in theatre, leading to performances with the Hartford Stage Company during his teenage years.

After graduating high school in 1983 and briefly pursuing classical voice studies on a full scholarship at Hartt College of Music, Byrd shifted his focus to jazz piano, a field where he largely educated himself. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Byrd's career flourished as he explored various musical and theatrical endeavors, including working with Nubian Nation, Orchestra Espada, and forming significant collaborations with jazz luminaries such as Eddie Henderson and Archie Shepp. His exceptional skills earned him a place in the top 25 of the 1999 Thelonious Monk International Piano Competition and multiple nominations for Advocate’s Best of Hartford Keyboardist.

Currently, Warren Byrd continues to enchant the jazz world with his performances, including collaborations with the Saskia Laroo Band, Duo Laroo/Byrd, and The Afro-Semitic Experience, showcasing his versatile talent as a pianist, vocalist, and composer .

My Jazz Story

The most astounding musical phenomenon I've ever seen is Chick Corea and Gary Burton in a duo concert from the wings of the Miles Davis Hall at Montreux Jazz Festival in 2007. These two outstanding musicians were as one and not one note, not one rhythm, not one idea was superfluous. I was enthralled from beginning to end—perfection!