About me:
Anyone who has circulated throughout the NY/NJ underground dance community knows quite well of the contribution, dedication, and love Carolyn Byrd has for nightclub entertainment. A Paterson, NJ native, affectionately known as Byrd or Miss B., entered the scene at age 16. “I had met these kids who were club heads. They took me to this club spot. Coming from the projects, it was a different world for me. The club had a lot of psychedelic art work, etc., and I wanted to explore more.”
The late David Cole, a close friend of hers, told her to check out a couple of clubs, one in Passaic NJ, where she met the famed recording group, The First Choice, and the other Galaxy 21, where she ended up becoming an employee. By 1981, she gained employment at the Cheetah Club, in her hometown of Paterson NJ as part of their staff. Then the late Al Murphy of ’Club Zanzibars (Newark NJ) fame asked her if she was interested in working at Charades, another one of his other clubs in East Orange NJ. Always ready to take on a challenge, she worked at both venues simultaneously.
Then three years later, Al hooked her up with the new club manager at Zanzibar , Shelton Hayes . Having a problem finding someone to fill the female security position, the two had a brief meeting and Shelton hired her. “Because she was doing such a wonderful job and exhibited a comedic and well spoken talent ”, stated Shelton, he decided to use her as the “showcase directress”. Later, asked how would she feel about replacing Lamont Bolds as MC for the club...of course she accepted! Her dazzling, charismatic style charmed ’Zanzibars audience, and made her extremely popular. While there, she came in contact with many hot recording artists at that time: Sylvester, Two Tons of Fun, Jocelyn Brown , Latoya Jackson, Chaka Khan, Thelma Houston, Loleatta Holloway , Ten City, Rochelle Fleming , Adeva, Sybil, Ceybil Jeffries, Bonnie Byrd (her sister), The Burrells, Marshall Jefferson, Colonel Abrams, Bas Noir, Robert Owens , Chubb Rock, LL Cool J, Salt-n-Pepa, and Biz Markie. Also at this time, Byrd developed a close knit relationship with the club’s musical programmer, Tony Humphries .
The 1989 Tribal House recording groups performance of the hit “MotherLand” was a memorable night for her, because prior to that showcase, Byrd announced that the political activist, Nelson Mandela was finally being released from the South African prison in two weeks. “The roar of the crowd pushed me back a few feet!,” she exclaimed. In July of that year, The“Jersey Jams Concert” during the New Music Seminar was also a high point in her MC career. “Because of the report I had with the patrons at Zanzibar and the dance music industry in NJ, since the that show, helped developed a good relationship with the NYC dance community as well,” she explained. The former manager of NYC’s Red Zone nightclub, Steve Lewis, complimented on what a great host she is. “He heard about what a terrific job I did. “This made me feel so good,” said Byrd. Noted London DJ Danny Rampling was among the many industry attendees at the function. He booked Tony Humphries to do several clubs on his first trip to London in 1987. Danny hired him again in October of 1989, and asked if Byrd would come along as MC.
Upon returning to the US, Tony ended his 9 year residency at Zanzibar in 1990. Shelton , Tony , and Byrd continued to do parties at several host venues, The Path, Red Zone, and the largely successful “Back to Zanzibar” party in 1991.
Several months later, the Shelter club opened in NYC. Hanging out with Abigail Adams of Movin’ Records and Ace Mungin from Ace Beat Records one evening, Abigail suggested they to go to the Shelter. “When I got there, I saw this mass of bodies, men ,women, gay, straight, black and white dancing together. As I stood on the steps looking at the crowd, I said to Abbie, ‘this is my new house!’.”
Then took over operations at Yellorange from an independent manufacturer handling promotions and merchandising in June of 1997. Byrd explains, “The line is based on club gear. Something that’s comfortable to dance in.” Currently, she has extended the Yellorange line toward particular items, customers tastes, and preferences.“For instance, Tony’s baseball jersey is a one-of-a-kind item,”says Byrd. As Shelter went into hiatus for about four years, it was at this time, Byrd returned to DJing again. She remembers her first gig was at the Casino Royale in Paterson. From there, she started doing private parties for friends and relatives. Her big break came two years ago where she was a resident DJ at Conrad Neblett’s Together In Spirit, and spinning at James Saunders’ Speed club both located in NYC.
Upon the ’Shelters reopening in August of ‘97, its executive producer, Kevin Hedge of BLAZE hired Byrd to MC their showcases, and also gave her a DJ guest spot in the lounge area. “Its good to be back home. The Shelter holds something special for me, but it’s nothing like MCing at Zanzibar .” The more successful she is the better she feels. Who wouldn’t! Not measured so much in monetary gain, but a million dollars in her pocket isn’t bad either! Byrd explains, “Being involved at Yellorange and the notoriety of being associated with Tony, and the history of Zanzibar is a good thing to have...It’s like carrying a Visa or a MasterCard. BeYello. Be Orange. Peace.
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Who I'd like to meet:
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