Bands help weather storm
Allison King, Special to Go Triad
(Thursday, September 15, 2005 1:00 am)

Speaking of The Weather Channel, while you're checking out your "Local on the 8s" forecast, have you ever noticed the music that's used as a teletrack?

Some of it is pretty darn fine: instrumentals with a smooth jazz sensibility; a light rain, a soft patter, a quiet storm, if you will. The music on pianist Keith Byrd's latest CD fits right in with this weather pattern.

"Transitions" is an eclectic collection of tracks — some originals, some not, some funkier than others and all very easy on the ears. And Byrd, 45, knows his way around those 88 keys, enough to let other instruments support his solos.

There's certainly something to be said for an artist such as Byrd, who is truer to the entire vision of a work's musicality than a narrow self-serving attempt to make sure his instrument is noticed above all. The CD was recorded in Byrd's home studio in Winston-Salem, and he rounded up a stellar group of artists to help him: Bobby Gage, Charles Burns, Calvin Napper, Leroy Roberson, Herb Stephens and Tony Green; and vocalists Rodney Archie, Jackie Sinclair, Michael Thomas, Zakiyyah Niang, Carlotta Fleming and Sylvania Wilder.

Byrd has been playing music professionally since he was 12. He has become one of the Triad's most sought-after pianists, playing for the likes of President George W. Bush and actor Lauren Bacall.

On "Transition," his virtuosity shows. It likely will thrill Byrd's fans and garner many new ones. The CD is a perfect fit for any contemporary adult jazz or "Quiet Storm" radio format.

See? Someone should definitely send a copy to The Weather Channel.

Allison King has covered the Triad's music scene for 11 years for various publications. Contact her at gigscene@triad.rr.com.