The Pace Report: "Jazzy Reflections of Dorsey" The Don Byron Interview
Channel: Brian Pace a.k.a The Pace Report
Date: 2012-08-13

Before Thomas A. Dorsey was hailed as "the father of black gospel music," he was a bluesman that composed and performed close to 400 compositions. In addition to becoming a well-accomplished blues pianist who was self-taught as a teenager, Dorsey played under the name Georgia Tom. He would go onto become one of the most prolific gospel deans of the music fusing elements of blues and jazz in his music at the dismay of members of some black congregations. Dorsey's "Peace In The Valley" and "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "Peace In The Valley" are considered gospel standards and are sung my vocalists and choirs all over the world. 

Musician, composer, and educator Don Byron's current Savoy Jazz release "Love, Peace, and Soul" with his New Gospel Quintet celebrates and investigates the legacy of Thomas A. Dorsey. The Bronx, New York native grew up in the church and has become a staple in jazz as a leading clarinetist and saxophonist. Don over the last 25 years has played a spectrum of music ranging from rock, hip-hop, klezmer, and classical. His critically-acclaimed debut recording "Tuskegee Experiments" was in reference to the Tuskegee syphilis experiment from 1932-1972 in which innocent black residents of Tuskegee, Alabama were used as an experiment without their knowledge.

Don has played with the plethora of artists that include Living Color, Anthony Braxton, Steve Coleman, David Murray, Cassandra Wilson, Bill Frisell, Lalo Schirfrin, and Mandy Patinkin. In addition to him being a well accomplished musician, he's also been an educator teaching at such fine universities such as M.I.T and The University of New York at Albany.

To find out more information on Don's latest recording and to find out about his upcoming club dates with the New Gospel Quintet, please visit him online at www.donbyron.com.