Album Notes

August, 2011: The Eric Byrd Trio: Brother Ray Band proudly release the follow up to their critically acclaimed “Brother Ray” CD with “Further On Up The Road”, a 12 song program that documents the Bro Ray Horn section on all tracks, special guests and Washington, DC Godfather of Go-Go legend Chuck Brown on one track.

Pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd, bassist Bhagwan Khalsa, and Alphonso Young, Jr., drummer extraordinaire recorded a dozen exciting tracks that will continue the mission started on 2008’s “Brother Ray” CD. “It’s funny”, Byrd remarks, “because when we put ‘Brother Ray’ together I had no idea the band and record would be so well received and that we could keep all 8 pieces on the road. But not only has the Trio remained active, but the BRB has worked steadily throughout the last 2 years.”

This CD will feature all 8 pieces of the EBT/BRB on all tracks: Byrd, Khalsa and Young will be combined with trumpeter Brad Clements, and saxophonists Paul Carr, Lyle Link and Chris Watling. “Each player brings their own unique style of playing to the table,” says Byrd. “When planning this new CD I had no desire to use any other musicians. We have played a bunch of shows together and the overall sound of the band is fun, exciting and swinging!” The CD will feature Rocket Jackson behind the glass as producer, making it the first CD the band has worked with him.
While guitarist Frank McCreary remains the 8th member of the band and plays wonderfully, the CD also benefits from guitarist Paul Pieper and arrangements from Darryl Brenzel, Chris Battistone, Scott Ragsdale, Bhagwan Khalsa and Eric Byrd. “Each track has it’s own unique vibe due to the nature of the song, but also because of the arranger. We wanted to record songs that might be familiar but arrange them in a unique way; I think we did that.”

The legendary Chuck Brown – the DC Godfather of Go-Go and he of “Bustin’ Loose” fame – knocks the track “Mary Ann” out of the box. Done in a single session, Chuck’s soulful guitar and seasoned voice gives wings to the slinky, 2nd line groove laid down by the Trio. Byrd says, “We were quite in awe of Chuck when he came into the studio but he almost went out of his way to make sure we knew that he was cool! That might be my favorite track.”

The Eric Byrd Trio - US State Department/Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassadors – were selected as one trio out of 80 applying trios to represent Jazz all over the world. Since 2001 they have toured throughout South America, Dubai, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Italy, Estonia to name a few. They have many recordings that have been internationally released. For more information on the Eric Byrd Trio go to www.ericbyrd.com; you may also follow the band on Twitter and Facebook.