The Eric Byrd Trio
Biography
For 25 years The Eric Byrd Trio (EBT) has brought the spirit of swing, bebop, gospel, and the blues to audiences worldwide. Winners of the Maryland State Arts Council Independent Artist Award, the Trio has also received a Governor’s Citation from Larry Hogan honoring 20 years of global performances. Their recording Twenty earned the 2022 Washington Area Music Award (Wammie) for Jazz Recording of the Year, and their newest release, Echoes of Arrival (August 2025, Two for the Show Media), marks an exciting new chapter with support from Shaunna Machosky of Jazzdog Promotions.
EBT is a proud member of the Maryland Performing Artist Touring Roster, recognized for their artistic excellence and professionalism. Their body of work includes eleven acclaimed studio and live albums, as well as their expanded 8-piece project, The Eric Byrd Trio: Brother Ray Band, a tribute to the genius of Ray Charles.
Collectively, the Trio has shared the stage with icons such as Wynton Marsalis, Warren Wolf, Tessa Souter, Delfeayo Marsalis, Randy Brecker, Charlie Byrd, Mike Stern, Bob Berg, Yolanda Adams, Vanessa Rubin, and Jon Secada. Each member is also a seasoned educator with advanced degrees in music history, African American music, and jazz performance. Their commitment to education has led them to present clinics and workshops worldwide, often through U.S. Embassy sponsorship as Kennedy Center/U.S. State Department Jazz Ambassadors.
The Eric Byrd Trio has performed at prestigious venues and festivals including the DC Jazz Festival, and in countries across South America, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Whether on stage or in the classroom, their mission remains the same: to honor the tradition of jazz while pushing it forward with energy, soul, and authenticity.
Whether on stage or in the classroom, the Eric Byrd Trio honors the masters who shaped the music by bringing their spirit to life in real time. With deep swing, fiery interplay, and expressive, risk-taking improvisation, the trio extends the jazz tradition through fearless performance. Rooted in authenticity and driven by energy and soul, their music is meant to be felt as much as heard—inviting audiences into a living, breathing art form that unfolds in the moment.
“This is the band I’ve always wanted to be in,” Byrd says. “When I was first starting out, I had 3 major influences. One was Miles Davis and all of his piano players, and all of his music including the fusion of the ’80’s. Then a teacher friend of mine told me to go to Baltimore to see the Mike Stern-Bob Berg Band. I had never heard improvisation played that hard, with that kind of energy before. It was incredible. Finally and most impactful was the Chick Corea Akoustic Band. When I got those recordings that was when I really knew what I wanted to do.”
The Eric Byrd Trio: Through the Years
From early collaborations to international stages, the journey of the Eric Byrd Trio is rooted in growth, creativity, and connection. Each chapter reflects an evolving sound shaped by experience, exploration, and a shared love of jazz.
2001
The Eric Byrd Trio are US State Department & Kennedy Center Jazz Ambassadors. They tour South America for 6 weeks and come home to record their first project.
2009
The Trio records “A Charlie Brown Christmas”. The song “Skating” has over 100k streams.
2017
“Saints Still Marching” is a recording featuring jazz interpretations of Spirituals, Hymns and Gospel Music. It also features trumpeter Terell Stafford and saxophonist Tim Warfield.
2022
The Eric Byrd Trio wins a Washington Area Music Award for Best Jazz Recording of the Year for “20”. The recording celebrates the 20 year history of the band
2026
The Eric Byrd Trio turns 25 years old with brand new bassist Will Hazel. He is prominently featured on the recordings “Echoes of Arrival” and “Christmas at Jazzy 6004”.
