The Blackbyrds

As synonymous with jazz-funk as any of their forebears or contemporaries, the Blackbyrds are master synthesists whose dance grooves and lush ballads are distinguished by their spirited rhythmic interplay, creative soloing, and uplifting group vocals. Conceived and closely assisted by trumpeter and educator Donald Byrd to provide some of his Howard University students with comprehensive music industry experience, the Blackbyrds debuted in 1974 and became crossover exemplars the next year with "Walking in Rhythm," a Top Ten hit on four Billboard charts. Three gold albums followed from 1975 through 1977, starting with City Life, a Top 20 LP featuring the classics "Rock Creek Park" and "Happy Music," followed by Unfinished Business, highlighted by the Grammy-nominated title song, and Action, featuring "Mysterious Vibes" and "Dreaming About You," two of the band's most-sampled recordings. Led by original members Keith Killgo and Joe Hall, the band continued to perform deep into the 2020s.