Page "Donald Byrd" Paragraph 2

While still at the Manhattan School, he joined Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, as replacement for Clifford Brown.

In 1955, he recorded with Jackie McLean 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.