and maturity of his playing. Within the first two years of his arrival in the Big Apple, he landed gigs with veteran jazz artists Philly Joe Jones, Sonny Rollins, Slide Hampton and Eric Dolphy. He joined Quincy Jones in a tour of Europe that stretched from 1960 to 1961. Per a recommendation from Miles Davis,

Lean and Mal Waldron. After leaving the Jazz Messengers in 1956, he performed with many leading jazz musicians of the day, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, and later Herbie Hancock. Byrd's first regular group was a quintet that he co-led from 1958-61 with baritone saxophonist Pepper A

Lean and Mal Waldron. After leaving the Jazz Messengers in 1956, he performed with many leading j=zz musicians of the day, including John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Mo=k, and later Herbie Hancock. Byrd's first regular group was a quintet that he co-led from 1958-61 with barito=e saxophonist Pepper Ad