Don Byas facts for kids

Carlos Wesley "Don" Byas (born October 21, 1912 – died August 24, 1972) was an American jazz musician. He was famous for playing the tenor saxophone. Don Byas was known for his work in both swing and bebop jazz styles. He played with many famous musicians like Count Basie, Duke Ellington, and Dizzy Gillespie. He also led his own bands. Don Byas lived in Europe for the last 26 years of his life.

Don Byas: A Jazz Legend

Early Life and Musical Start

Don Byas was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma, in the United States. Music was a big part of his family. His mom played the piano, and his dad played the clarinet. Don started learning music very young. He first learned to play the violin, clarinet, and alto saxophone. He played the alto saxophone until the late 1920s.

A musician named Benny Carter was a big inspiration for Don. When he was 17, Don started playing in local bands. He played with groups led by Bennie Moten and Walter Page. From 1931 to 1932, he even led his own college band called Don Carlos and His Collegiate Ramblers. This was while he was at Langston College in Oklahoma.

Moving to the West Coast

After college, Don Byas moved to the West Coast. There, he switched to playing the tenor saxophone. He played with several bands in Los Angeles. In 1935, he joined Lionel Hampton's band at the Paradise Club. He also played with other musicians like Buck Clayton.

Becoming a Star in New York City

In 1937, Don Byas moved to New York City. He joined the Eddie Mallory band and toured with singer Ethel Waters. He also played with Don Redman's band. In 1939, he recorded his first solo song called "Is This to Be My Souvenir?". He played with many other band leaders like Lucky Millinder and Andy Kirk.

In 1941, Don Byas got a big chance. He joined Count Basie's famous big band. He took over from another great saxophonist, Lester Young. With Count Basie, he recorded songs like "Harvard Blues". He also played in small groups with Basie's band members. They even traveled to Hollywood to record for movies like Reveille with Beverly and Stage Door Canteen. He stayed with Count Basie until 1943.

After leaving Basie, Don Byas played in small bands in New York clubs. He started playing with musicians who were creating a new style of jazz called bebop. These included Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. He recorded a song called "Woody 'n You" which is thought to be one of the first bebop recordings. In 1944, he had a big hit with his version of "Laura". This song was from a popular movie.

Even though he played with bebop musicians, Don Byas always loved the swing style. He said that Art Tatum, a famous pianist, was his biggest influence. He once said, "I haven't got any style! I just blow like Art."

Life in Europe

In September 1946, Don Byas went to Europe with Don Redman's big band. They were the first American jazz band to tour Europe after World War II. After playing in different countries, he decided to live in Paris, France.

While in Europe, he recorded many songs. He worked with French musicians and other American jazz artists who were also living there. He even played with a famous Portuguese singer named Amália Rodrigues. In the early 1950s, Don Byas moved to the Netherlands. In 1955, he married Johanna "Jopie" Eksteen.

Don Byas played music all over Europe. He didn't visit the United States again until 1970. That year, he played at the Newport Jazz Festival. Don Byas passed away in Amsterdam in 1972 from lung cancer. He was 59 years old.

In 1997, Don Byas was honored by being added to the Oklahoma Jazz Hall of Fame. His last tenor saxophone is now on display at Rutgers University's Institute of Jazz Studies.

Don Byas's Music

Don Byas recorded many albums as a band leader. He also played on albums with other famous jazz musicians. Here are some of his important recordings:

• Don Carlos Meets Mary Lou (1954)
• Jazz at Saint-Germain Des Prés (1957)
• April in Paris! Don Byas with Strings (1963)
• Don Byas Meets Ben Webster (1969)
• Midnight at Minton's (1973)

He also played as a sideman on albums by:

• Beryl Booker
• Bill Coleman
• Coleman Hawkins
• Amália Rodrigues
• Ben Webster
• Mary Lou Williams