I used to go to a small jazz bar in Washington, D.C. and catch Charlie back in the late 50s, just about the time he got into Brazilian music. He went to Brazil on some kind of cultural exchange program and came back with Bossa Nova music. Then he introduced Stan Getz to the music. I fell so much in love with Brazilian music that I married a beautiful Brazilian exchange student, who imported me to Brazil. The rest is history!
What a story! My wife is from Brazil, as well, but we met here in the US. And she and her family introduced to me to Brazilian music. Would have been something to have seen Charlie play - especially in those days - a rare privilege! History in the making
37 yrs ago as a young college music student, I played an inpromptu recital of "Classical Gas" in front of Charlie Byrd. Our jazz professor invited Charlie to come play / speak to us. The professor threated us that we had better show up w instrument in hand and be ready to play. He called on me first. Thank God, I was ready and performed it w/out any screw ups. Charlie was very gracious to me.
Last week Astrud Gilberto, bossa nova singer passed away at the age of 83. She now rests with her husband João Gilberto, a great musician. I'm shore I'll never listen to this beautiful melody without remembering her quiet and comforting remarkable voice. Rest in peace, Astrud. You are now immortal just like the bossa nova.
@@tomterrif8503 Didn't know about that. Just Google and it's quite clear on her profile though. Thank you for the heads up. But let say she rests in eternity in a poetic way 😂
My father was friends with Charlie back in the 50's. As well as Roy Clark. Roy and my dad Arthur Murray grew up in SE. DC. Where my dads parents lived until their passing. Charlie use to jam in our basement often in Kensington, Md. with my dad and they're friends as we danced around in our pj's until bedtime. I don't remember if Roy was there. Years later I was in Georgetown DC. and walked into a bar where Charlie was playing not knowing he was there. To my amazement he recognized me after 20 years. And had a waiter make me and my date a table up front. What an honor! Charlie was a gentle kind man. My father was very strict and a WW2 master sergeant veteran that scared us kids at times. It took me years to understand why. But being on the beach in Normandy would affect anyone in those times. Charlie told me not to be afraid and that my father loved me. At 68 years old now I have never forgotten him or what he said to me. I know the angels are singing and dancing to his music. God Bless.
I have played Corcovado for 50 years , the last 25 years professionally . I always give Americans Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd full credit for helping usher in the great sound of the bossa nova . Let us not forget the master ,Tom Jobim, Joao and Astrud Gilberto, Luiz Bonfa and Laurindo Almeida.
It is true that with age, a musician's technical ability tends to wear out, but what is known as musical intelligence remains intact. Byrd was a very talented guitarist and despite any "twiggy fingers" he's playing hella good here, if you know what I mean.
I remember the first time I heard the opening of "Desafinado" on Jazz Samba. My listening life was transformed forever. So simple, so in tune harmonically and rhythmically, so Brazilian. I can hear it in my head, the soft maracas, everything just right dynamically, a sweet sound, a hip-moving slow sexy sound, a sound that demanded engagement. I liked it. Thank you, Mr. Byrd. Thank you bossa nova.
I saw Charlie at Oregon Ridge in Hunt Valley, MD, back in the early eighties. I called my parents and told them they needed to come visit - that I had a surprise for them. My dad knew Charlie. More specifically, my dad was drinking buddies with Charlie's brother back in the 50's. Turns out, Charlie's brother was playing bass for him. They got to talk backstage. I also saw Charlie at Ethel's Place in Baltimore around 1985 with my girlfriend (now still my wife after 26 years). It was one of the best shows I've ever seen.
Hi Steve, Nice write up. I was wondering if you or your Dad knew rather or not Charlie played the horses back in the day. Let me know I wanted to see if he knew someone very close to me. Thanks Vanda
My father was friends with Charlie back in the 50's. As well as Roy Clark. Roy and my dad Arthur Murray grew up in SE. DC. Where my dads parents lived until their passing. Charlie use to jam in our basement in Kensington, Md. with my dad and they're friends as we danced around in our pj's until bedtime. I don't remember if Roy was there. Years later I was in Georgetown DC. and walked into a bar where Charlie was playing not knowing he was there. To my amazement he recognized me after 20 years. And had a waiter make me and my date a table up front. What an honor! Charlie was a gentle kind man. My father was very strict and a WW2 master sergeant veteran that scared us kids at times. It took me years to understand why. But being on the beach in Normandy would affect anyone in those times. Charlie told me not to be afraid and that my father loved me. At 68 years old now I have never forgotten him or what he said to me. I know the angels are singing to his music. God Bless.
My father had a complete collection of every song Charlie Byrd recorded. Considering my father’s classical and jazz record collection, this put Charlie Byrd in first place. This weekend is Father’s Day. Dad passed 11 years after Charlie. If Charlie is giving concerts in heaven, Dad is on the front row. This made me smile.
I've always enjoyed listening to Charlie Byrd (and Stan Getz) on Jazz Samba since I was a teenager. They were both great together and made the album a unique snapshot of the late 60s.
Decades ago I had the privilege of seeing Charlie Byrd play in person several times at the West Shore Unitarian Church in Rocky River, Ohio. Consequently I was able to sit in the first row of the church so I could watch his mastery of the guitar up close and personal. At the time I was a guitar teacher but knew that I could never be as good as someone like Charlie Byrd. Then in June of 2011 another great guitarist, Glen Campbell, was diagnosed with a terminal illness, Alzheimer's. I was aware of Glen's proficiency on guitar when I was teaching guitar in the 70's. In May of 2016 I decided to start a new RU-vid channel and dedicate it to Glen (Glen Campbell - A Tribute). It currently has 400 GC videos on it and I am amazed every time I see Glen play guitar. TWO great guitarists who have left us with a legacy of great music, Charlie Byrd and Glen Campbell.
And to think that at that time, I was living right next door in Lakewood, Ohio but was unaware of Byrd playing at the UU Church! I could use the excuse, 'I was too young to know about Charlie Byrd', but due to my older brother's superb taste in music, especially jazz, my family owned the "Jazz Samba" album and we all loved it. Plus, one is never too young to hear timeless, ageless, masterful works of music skillfully played.
I was visiting Washington DC in 1981 from Australia and my friends dad noticed an ad for a furniture store promotion and they said Charlie Byrd would be playing, well blow me down with a feather, I went to this obscure furniture store and there he was playing on his acoustic just me and two other people watching and listening. chatted briefly to him, quiet sort of guy..weird story but true :)
seeing these elderly men, grasping on to life by playing these melodies, seeing they still have the passion to grab and bless their instrument, letting us see their seasoned experience, it's just inspiring
I met Charlie Byrd on two different occasions in Puerto Rico at Rudy's Tenth Inning lounge in Santurce San Juan. I asked him to sit in and very graciously he said he was observing the band loved the music were playing. He also invited me to Georgetown Washington DC, and when I went he was on tour in the fat east. What a beautiful Person.
He was a great guitar player and musician as well. His work provided new harmonies for the Bossa nova and Jazz scene at that time. I am grateful for this. God bless him.
1976, We had dinner at London Steak House on the corner of Wacker and Michigan Avenue in Chicago and listened to 2 hours of Charlie Bryd, he was wonderful. My wife loved shrimp so the ordered "Shrimp de Gabugnae, needless to say she ate my steak. It mattered not as Charlie was great, we loved every tune.
I was lucky enough to see this brilliant musician in concert on 4 separate occasions, 3 times in the very intimate "Cellar Door", in the DC area back in the early 70's. One of the most talented guitarists ever.
You got to Love Charlie Byrd and he is such a great player and whats really cool about this video...sitting beside him is the great Tal Farlow & beside him is Herb Ellis ...Major Wow ...could you imagine being in the audience ...Truly amazing men of the guitar ...alot of our inspiration comes from these men. Sadly they are gone ......but never forgotten. They make our lives so sweet . Cheers and thankyou for posting Dave Calgary
Beautiful and age hasn't stopped Charlie Byrd at all. The great musicians that we all enjoyed through the years are leaving and it is truly our loss and these videos keep them alive for us....Thank you so much...
Muito especial sua apresentação, desde que veio ao Brasil , levou o amor do nosso país , tem nos brindado com excelentes apresentações de Bossa Nova!!! Lhe admiro muito por divulgar nossa musica pelo mundo!!!
I grew up in Chillum Md just over the DC Line. Charlie used play Schools in the area. I saw him a few times in Elementary School and a couple of times in High School when he would perform for Assemblies. A great way to get out of class. I was blown away. Im still playing guitar 50 yrs later
Charlie Byrd played an amazingly tasteful and complex chord melody arrangement, as always on this video. My question is, who was the bass player?! That cat was keeping a basa grove, while soloing in thumb position on an upright with his eyes closed and matching Charlie's comping dead on the beat and following the changes perfectly. That takes skill.
I know who that bass player is cause it is me! Thanks for the feedback Remley. As I remember it was a stressful date, with very little rehearsal. Tal Farlow was so kind and encouraging. While I thought it was really cool to play with them all, I treasure the times I played with Tal.
No doubt, Charlie Bird was/is one of the North American (USA) Best/Greatest guitarrists... and most probably, one of the BEST Worldwide EVER. Blues, Jazz, Classical, Latin... Besides : Greatness is VERY Humble.
I remember Charlie's place on K Street under the bridge. I was in high school and college. Thank you to my dad for dragging me there. It's only now that I realize what a gift you gave me watching this so many nights.
Espetacular interpretação de "CORCOVADO "feita por Charlie Byrd, que mostrou que o aprendizado feito aqui no Rio em 1961, não foi em vão. Um crack. Cley Cormack.- Rio, 28/01/2014. OBS:- Thank you, fostexD160. Very excellent video.
I grew up in the D.C. area in the 60's and 70's. Charlie's home was in the Maryland suburbs of D.C., and he used to be a regular performer at a tiny, but, at that time, very famous club called the Cellar Door in Georgetown. I had the privilege of hearing Charlie and his trio perform there on several occasions. He has always been one of my favorite guitarists. Just an amazingly gifted performer. Not many people know, but in the very early 60's, Charlie went to Brazil, where he heard Jobim and several of the other artists responsible for the creation of Bossa Nova, and he was captivated. Charlie was the one individual most responsible for introducing Bossa Nova to the US.
I think I would include Stan Getz as well. He and Charlie introduced Bossa Nova to America on the Perry Como show, 'Saturday Night with Mr. C' in 1962.
Charlie's Ramirez got lost in a plane/luggage mix-up back in the late 70's, and he borrowed my Guild Mark VII to do a concert here in Bradford, Pa. I still have that guitar and it is deeply memorable to me. He gave me a set of guitar strings when he returned the guitar. They consisted of Augustine red-label basses and Savarez trebles. Interesting mixture.
Truly one of the giants in jazz history! I'm a Maryland native and Charlie loved to play at the King Of France In Annapolis. While I know I'll never be on the same level as his playing, it's always fun to hear him attack a standard song! We lost many great jazz guitarists - Herbie Ellis, Joe Pazz, just to name a few. A delightful video of when music was melody, harmony, and rhythm! Ed Baran - Joppa ,MD
I saw him around this time and a year or so before. During the first show he was absolutely ON IT and it was incredible. By the second time he was still incredible but he was having a hard time, having to stop playing and waving the bassist and drummer on to play longer solos. Sad but still incredible to sit less than ten feet from this master and just let his talent wash over me. Charlie was from Chuckatuck, VA which is now a neighborhood of Suffolk and very small. I'll never forget him saying, "Earlier I was backstage and met a couple who claimed to be from Chuckatuck. Now, I travel the world and have people tell me they are from Chuckatuck all the time, but they are just putting on airs". Met him as well. Gracious and talented man. RIP Charlie.
Charlie deserves a great deal of credit for bringing bossa nova to America. He heard it while touring in Brazil and could not wait to come back to tell his friend Stan Getz what he had found. The rest is history.
@Ronan2 This is not my intention to argue if CB is playing perfect or not, the intention of uploading this clip is that (CB) even at this age , with poor health and unlimited counting of playing same tune over 30+ yrs, still his musical idea / interpretation is always refreshing and grounding breaking, way ahead yrs to come, so that viewers can enjoy it and hopefully, gain something from his playing. Myself watch this chip over 1000 times, every time still a totally blown out
What a wonderful playing by ever living Charlie Byrd.My salute to the finest ambassador of Jazz guitar.May I mention that I attended his concert in 1967 when he visited Nepal.His Bossa Nova pieces were new to my ear but the music was captivating as he played the guitar with such flow and finesse.I spoke to him after the concert and sensed at once that he was wonderful also as a person ready to share thoughts and moments with others.Perhaps,any good musics may be the only language of our human kind which can bring people together to care for each other.Thank you for putting it on RU-vid. Kris Gurung.
I saw him (might have been the same year) in what was then Madras, India, when he played with his brother on bass and Bill Reichenbach on the drums. During that concert CB played both South American (Villa Lobos) and classical (F. Sor), among other marvelous pieces. He inspired me to learn classical guitar. Another true artist who graced this world and made it all the richer by his presence among us. And yes, thanks for posting this.
Quase chegou lá , nos acordes peculiares que poucos conseguem fazer na batida do toque de um violão de nossa bossa nova que Jobim nós deixou como herança. Mas que coisa linda essa homenagem ao nosso Tom
i saw charlie byrd and his jazz band performed in my hometown davao city philippines when i was still in college. tht's more than 30 yrs ago the memory still lingers on..
Wonderful! I first saw Charlie at the Showboat Lounge in Washington, DC in 1958. I was hooked. I became a "regular" at the Showboat and continued as a big fan. I went to Charlie's Funeral Service in Annapolis, MD. What a service it was. Jazz, with Ketter Betts, Joe Byrd and mary of his associates. I will always listen to Charlie Byrd Music. His Brother, Joe, a great bass player just retired last year.
How utterly, utterly, utterly moving. Ah, my God, when the old boys decide to move us they certainly succeed. Sorry, I've got to get to get up to reach for the Kleenex box. Music only can save Man ...
Used to see Charlie at Headquarters, a restaurant bar at 18th and Columbia road in DC. Caught him in Williamsburg a few times and Raleigh NC once. Play his CDs often. Guy’s got IT!
First heard Charlie when I was about 12. My sister's boyfriend had an album Blues For Night People. Finally tracked down my own copy when I was in my 30s - and on vinyl! He is superb, always loved his stuff.
I saw Charlie Byrd live in Seattle in the fall of 1991, he was still going strong and played his backside off! How he got that sound on nylon strings is amazing.
I first heard bossa nova on a black and white tv show called, “Run For Your Life” back in the 60’s. The lead character was in Brazil, and the show opened with the hypnotic song ‘Meditation’, by Jobim. I had no idea what style or type of music I was hearing, but my life was spent looking for someone to teach that to me. Finally, in the ‘70’s, I found a guitar teacher who was a soloist chord/melody type player. Thanks to The Good Lord that I can play that music now whenever I want to.
I don't remember how I find this monster but when I first saw him playing... Blows my mind every single time. - John Williams - Paco de Lucía - Agustín Barrios Mangoré - Charlie Byrd The best 4 guitarrists.
this is amassing , plus he was 74 years old when this is recorded ,who ever said its awful,i would like to see you play like this in your seventies!!! people usually stop playing guitar after 65, if not before,i am classical guitarist and i know how difficult this instrument is , so BRAVO for Charlie!!!
I had the great privilege of seeing him in about this same time frame. He gave a FREE concert in Bethesda - it was awesome. I got to shake his hand and mumble something about how grateful I was for his bringing bossa nova to America
I met Charlie in 1993. I was born in 1964 and my Dad loved Charlie so I remember hearing him play since I can remember. In fact, I took up nylon string guitar due to him. RIP Charlie!
The previous was for Mr. Shaw. Now for dji zzah, how lucky for you. You were most fortunate to have been blessed by such a rare occasion. Theses moments one cherishes until our last breath, whether feather blown or not!
Outstanding. I've been enjoying Charlie's music since I first discovered him in the '60's on the album with Stan Getz. Caught him live in Chapel Hill once. An amazing talent!!! Passed away in '99 at the young age of 74...so sad!
I met Mr. Bird in 1980 at Bubba's in Lauderdale. I was with my dear friend the late Juan Mercadal and Mario Juan Escandel (another great guitarist). When Mr. Bird saw Mercadal, he announced that [tonight we have with us the man that he considered the greatest classical guitar player in the world] and JM stood up and bowed, then Mr Bird came to our table and say with us until the next set. I can see like it was yesterday. Mr Bird was a very talented nice man. R.I.P.
As I said I saw Charlie in the 60's. He got me into classical style playing and I play his version of Girl From Impanema(?) and A Man And A Woman on classical guitar. I also use my finger nails on my steel string electric and also still play pick style. I am 69 now and I love these guys. It's hard when you get old to play. I have osteoarthritis in my fingers, but nothing stops me from playing.
I used to see the Great Jazz Musicians in the West Village in NYC. I knew they were great, but never realized how lucky I was to see World Class Musicians in a tiny club.
Super nice man and very talented. I was lucky to meet him in person at an old place in Fort Lauderdale called Bubba's. I was there with classical guitar great Juan Mercadal and Mario Juan Escandel. And Mr. Bird announced that Mercadal was in the audience and that he considered him the best classical guitar player, Mr Bird then came to our table and sat with us. I will never forget that night. That was around 1979.
+acere58 Apart from the incredible talent, he seems an all right person, unassuming like all the real greats, no airs like, I'm the best, I'm Charlie Byrd and who are you ?
I was there at Bubba' that night.. I'm a drummer because if I had been a Guitar player I would have given up playing. Also saw him in Toronto some time later one of the most Humble Players I ever met. He remembered me from Lauderdale. and was very gracious. I was playing in Miami at "A Place For Steak" on 79th St. Causeway and invited him to stop by if he was in the area. He actually came by and our guitar player FREAKED OUT.
Even as a teenager, playing and studying music, when I heard Charlie Bryd it was then I knew that he had a style, accomplishment and gift like no other on the Accoustical Guitar. A Class All by Himself.
just stumbled on this and, as a result, a few memories of seeing him, when i was maybe 12 years old, at the showboat lounge, i think it was, on the potomac river in DC. charlie and my stepfather were partners in a bethesda, md, music shop. he was such a kind man. me at that club was decidedly weird, all these blues and jazz cats and this skinny, shy kid not knowing what the hell i was seeing. what i remember most is one of his old guitars that we had at our house, kind of fractured and split, but i spent hours with it and loved it and miss it to this day.
