ĭ pays homage to the American jazz, soul and funk trumpeter, vocalist and influential educator ahead of what would have marked his 90 th birthday. There will be aspecial appearance from Donald Byrd III, the President of the Donald Byrd Cultural Foundation, and former Blackbyrd, Keith Killgo. The musical director for the project is Sean Jones, featuring Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Gary Bartz, who played on many of Donald Byrd’s hits,Grammy Award-nominated drummer, Nate Smith, bassist and band member of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” Endea Owens,acclaimedjazz trombonist Frank Lacy,multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Louis Cato,Pittsburgh-born, New Zealand based pianist, Brett Williams, and surprise guests. PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL EXPANDED TO INCLUDE “D TRIBUTE TO DONALD BYRD AND THE BLACKBYRDS” WITH MUSICAL DIRECTION BY SEAN JONES AND SPECIAL PERFORMANCES FEATURING GARY BARTZ, NATE SMITH, ENDEA OWENS, FRANK LACY, LOUIS CATO, BRETT WILLIAMS & THE DONALD BYRD CULTURAL FOUNDATION Pittsburgh’s preeminent Jazz Festival to include A Taste of Jazz featuring food from the City’s most innovative eateries following performance from Ron Carter Foursight at the August Wilson African American Cultural CenterĪug– Pittsburgh, PA – The August Wilson African American Cultural Center is pleased to announce “D Tribute to Donald Byrd and the Blackbyrds,” a special all-star tribute to the late, groundbreaking musician, composer, and educator Donald Byrd on Saturday, September 17, commissioned by the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival (PIJF) and conceptualized by Janis Burley Wilson.

Steel city jazz festival 2021