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MAJOR BOYD, BALTIMORE SAXOPHONIST

Major Boyd

One of Baltimore’s jazz stalwarts, saxophonist Major Boyd, passed away on January 9 at the age of 68. He was a well-known figure in the Baltimore Jazz scene, often performing at Caton Castle with organist Greg Hatza and with the Michael Raitzyk Trio.

Guitarist Michael Raitzyk writes on Facebook, “Our Music community has lost a great musician and person…He was a master at building a solo, which I learned from listening to him. It was always an honor (and super fun!) to share the stage together.” Below is a link to a 2004 performance at Cafe Hon.

https://soundcloud.com/michael-raitzyk/major-boyd-cafe-hon-if-i-only-had-a-brain?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=facebook

Bassist Jesse Powers writes, “Major Boyd was a gentle giant! I had the beautiful pleasure of performing with him often with Michael Raitzyk, and Jesse Moody, also giants in their own right…When Major Boyd was with us [The Michael Raitzyk Trio], it was like adding icing to the cake! Major was very knowledgeable about making the music really sing through his saxophone. His personality was just as precious–never heard an unkind word uttered from his mouth (or sax). For him and us, It was always about joy, and the purity of making music…For all who knew Major, our memories of him will be cherished and honored through time.”

Drummer Jesse Moody adds his thoughts: “Growing up in Baltimore, I was HUGE fan of Moon August. [I would] just be blown away by their virtuosity. I loved the fact that they were playing original material, with the occasional “Spain” by Chick Corea or “Birdland” by Weather Report thrown in. Leading the way in that band was Major Boyd. Major’s tone, rhythmic concepts, and passion for music flowed through his horn and touched me and others in a way that would make you get to your feet and dance!

“I was honored when I got a chance to play with Moon August. To be able to support and have musical conversations with Major was joy!! He used to tell me, “I just love vamps.” He could take a two-bar vamp and create another song from it. As musicians, we all strive to have an identity on our instrument. You can tell the great ones in just a couple bars or a phrase. Major Boyd had his own identity. NO ONE sounded like him.

“He regularly came out to play with us at the Café Hon and other venues with The Michael Raitzyk Trio. The patrons who came out to hear the band every week would ask, ‘How is Major doing?’, ‘When is Major coming back to play with you?’ The music went to another level when he was there.

“During the last ten years of his life, I spent a lot time with him. We only lived a couple of minutes apart so I would check on him from time to time to make sure he was OK. I will greatly miss my dear friend and musical mentor.”

Additional reflections were provided by Leslie Imes, of Caton Castle, where Major Boyd often played:
“Major Boyd is a man with his own distinct sound who appears to easily bellow solos playing one note for what seemed like five minutes, with a mastery of multi-reeds…It puts your psyche in the times of the multi-talented bag man, Roland Kirk. So was Major with the tenor, soprano, the gourd–you name it; he had such presence –and the audience awarded his performances with standing ovations. The sound of Moon August [band] was alive and well…When Greg [Hatza] and Major opened one original tune, the sound put you in the mind of a gentle breeze on a beach or the opening of the heavens….The tempo was charismatic all night. with the seasoned rhythm section of Dupree, Ryan Diehl, and Mitchel Coates.”

Funeral Arrangements.
Wylie Funeral Home. 9200 Liberty Road
Viewing. Friday January 15th 2016. 5pm – 8pm, Saturday. 12:30pm. Service Saturday 1pm
Wylie Funeral Chapel. 9200 Liberty Road

Major Boyd 2

One thought on “MAJOR BOYD, BALTIMORE SAXOPHONIST

  • Sandra

    Truly a great musical spirit to us in Baltimore and beyond! Rest in peace dear brother!

    Reply

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