Blue Note Records will release the first-ever official release of Donald Byrd Live: Cookin’ with Blue Note at Montreux on what would have been the legendary trumpeter’s 90th birthday: December 9, 2022. The LP of the dynamic 1973 live set is all-analog cut directly from the original analog master tapes.

In July 1973, Blue Note Records headed to Montreux, Switzerland to showcase several of the label’s stars at the Montreux Jazz Festival. Produced by Blue Note President George Butler, live albums all titled Live: Cookin’ with Blue Note at Montreux followed from vibraphonist Bobby Hutcherson, organist Ronnie Foster, flutist Bobbi Humphrey, and vocalist Marlena Shaw, but one of the performances by trumpeter Donald Byrd remained unreleased in the Blue Note vaults, until now.

1-LP, 180g, unprinted polylined paper inner sleeve.

1-LP, 180g, unbedruckte wattierte Innenhülle.

Tracklist:

1. Black Byrd (Larry Mizell) 8:11

2. You’ve Got It Bad Girl (Stevie Wonder) 7:43

3. The East (Donald Byrd) 9:19

4. Introductions 2:58

5. Kwame (Donald Byrd) 11:50

6. Poco-Mania (Donald Byrd) 5:22   

Donald Byrd: trumpet, flugelhorn, vocals - Fonce Mizell: trumpet, vocals - Allan Barnes: tenor saxophone, flute - Nathan Davis: tenor & soprano saxophone - Kevin Toney: electric piano - Larry Mizell: synthesizers - Barney Perry: electric guitar - Henry Franklin: electric bass - Keith Killgo: drums, vocals - Ray Armando: congas, percussion

Original recordings produced by George Butler

Recorded live by Chris Penycote at Montreux Jazz Festival, Montreux, Switzerland, July 5, 1973

Mixed by Qmillion at EastWest Studios Los Angeles, CA