A Virginia native and WWII combat veteran, Charlie Byrd returned from the war to study jazz theory in New York, moved to DC in 1950, and lived here for 25 years before settling permanently in Annapolis, MD.
While in DC he continued his studies, gave lessons, and worked as a civilian contractor for the Army--a job which led to Byrd's inclusion in musical goodwill tours of the Americas, along with some of the bigger names in jazz. This in turn led to Byrd's lifelong passion for Latin music, Brazilian samba in particular.
In the early 1960's Byrd introduced saxophonist Stan Getz to Brazilian music, and the two recruited other veterans of the tours to record the "Jazz Samba" LP at All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington. The album reached #1 on the pop charts, and led directly to the samba and "bossa nova" crazes in the US.
