The Mainstay in Rock Hall will present Byrd Is the Word, a special Charlie Byrd tribute concert, on Saturday April 25 at 7:30 PM. The event celebrates the musical legacy of legendary guitarist Charlie Byrd and will feature an outstanding trio of jazz musicians including drummer Chuck Redd, guitarist Nate Najar, and bassist Herman Burney performing music associated with the renowned Charlie Byrd Trio.
This unique concert will highlight the elegant sound and repertoire that defined Byrd’s influential trio recordings. Byrd’s distinctive style blended classical guitar technique with jazz improvisation and helped introduce Brazilian bossa nova to American audiences. His collaboration with saxophonist Stan Getz on the landmark recording Jazz Samba helped launch the worldwide popularity of the genre and established Byrd as one of the most important guitarists in modern jazz.
The April 25 concert will take place during Rock Hall’s first Wings of Spring celebration, a community event welcoming visitors to the harbor town as the season begins. The evening will also include an invitational pre concert reception for members of the Charlie Byrd Society. The concert is sponsored by Becky Byrd, whose continued support of The Mainstay honors Charlie Byrd’s deep connection to the venue and to the musical life of Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The featured performers bring exceptional credentials and a strong connection to the music they will present. Chuck Redd is widely recognized for his work with leading jazz artists and for his mastery of swing and Brazilian rhythms. Guitarist Nate Najar is internationally known for his virtuoso nylon string guitar playing and his dedication to the Brazilian jazz tradition inspired by Byrd’s pioneering work. Bassist Herman Burney is one of the region’s most respected jazz musicians, known for his rich tone and for performing with many prominent artists throughout the jazz world.
Together the trio will present an evening of music inspired by the Charlie Byrd Trio, capturing the lyrical guitar sound, rhythmic sophistication, and relaxed elegance that made Byrd’s recordings so influential.
The Mainstay, located on Main Street in the harbor town of Rock Hall, Maryland, has served as a nonprofit center for live music on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for nearly three decades. The intimate listening room presents a year round schedule of concerts featuring jazz, folk, classical, blues, bluegrass, and Americana artists from across the region and the country.
Tickets for Byrd Is the Word on Saturday April 25 at 7:30 PM are available through InstantSeats and through The Mainstay website. Additional information about the concert and other upcoming performances can be found at mainstayrockhall.org.
