Kenny Burrell
Encyclopedia
Kenneth Earl "Kenny" Burrell (born July 31, 1931) is an American
jazz
guitarist
. His playing is grounded in bebop
and blues
; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians.
to a musical family and began playing guitar at the age of 12. His influences as a guitar player include Charlie Christian
, Django Reinhardt
, and Wes Montgomery
. While a student at Wayne State University
, he made his debut recording as a member of Dizzy Gillespie's
sextet in 1951. He toured with Oscar Peterson
after graduating in 1955 and then moved to New York City
in 1956.
A consummate sideman
, Burrell recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians. He also led his own groups since 1951 and recorded many well received albums.
In the 1970s he began leading seminars about music, particularly Duke Ellington
's. A highly popular performer, he has won several jazz polls in Japan
and the United Kingdom
as well as the United States.
He has recorded about 106 albums, including Midnight Blue (1963), Blue Lights, Guitar Forms, Sunup To Sundown (1990), Soft Winds (1993), Then Along Came Kenny (1993), and Lotus Blossom (1995).
In 2001, Burrell performed "C Jam Blues" with Medeski, Martin & Wood for the Red Hot Organization
's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo
, a tribute to Duke Ellington
, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS
awareness and fighting the disease.
As of 1996, Burrell has served as Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA, mentoring such notable alumni as Gretchen Parlato
and Kalil Wilson
. Burrell teaches a course entitled "Ellingtonia", examining the life and accomplishments of Duke Ellington.
With Bill Evans
With Paul Chambers
With Terry Gibbs
With John Jenkins
With Thad Jones
With Wynton Kelly
With Ike Quebec
With Freddie Roach
With Charlie Rouse
With Jimmy Smith
With Stanley Turrentine
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
jazz
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
. His playing is grounded in bebop
Bebop
Bebop differed drastically from the straightforward compositions of the swing era, and was instead characterized by fast tempos, asymmetrical phrasing, intricate melodies, and rhythm sections that expanded on their role as tempo-keepers...
and blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
; he has performed and recorded with a wide range of jazz musicians.
Biography
Burrell was born in Detroit, MichiganDetroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
to a musical family and began playing guitar at the age of 12. His influences as a guitar player include Charlie Christian
Charlie Christian
Charles Henry "Charlie" Christian was an American swing and jazz guitarist.Christian was an important early performer on the electric guitar, and is cited as a key figure in the development of bebop and cool jazz. He gained national exposure as a member of the Benny Goodman Sextet and Orchestra...
, Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt
Django Reinhardt was a pioneering virtuoso jazz guitarist and composer who invented an entirely new style of jazz guitar technique that has since become a living musical tradition within French gypsy culture...
, and Wes Montgomery
Wes Montgomery
John Leslie "Wes" Montgomery was an American jazz guitarist. He is widely considered one of the major jazz guitarists, emerging after such seminal figures as Django Reinhardt and Charlie Christian and influencing countless others, including Pat Martino, George Benson, Russell Malone, Emily...
. While a student at Wayne State University
Wayne State University
Wayne State University is a public research university located in Detroit, Michigan, United States, in the city's Midtown Cultural Center Historic District. Founded in 1868, WSU consists of 13 schools and colleges offering more than 400 major subject areas to over 32,000 graduate and...
, he made his debut recording as a member of Dizzy Gillespie's
Dizzy Gillespie
John Birks "Dizzy" Gillespie was an American jazz trumpet player, bandleader, singer, and composer dubbed "the sound of surprise".Together with Charlie Parker, he was a major figure in the development of bebop and modern jazz...
sextet in 1951. He toured with Oscar Peterson
Oscar Peterson
Oscar Emmanuel Peterson was a Canadian jazz pianist and composer. He was called the "Maharaja of the keyboard" by Duke Ellington, "O.P." by his friends. He released over 200 recordings, won seven Grammy Awards, and received other numerous awards and honours over the course of his career...
after graduating in 1955 and then moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1956.
A consummate sideman
Sideman
A sideman is a professional musician who is hired to perform or record with a group of which he or she is not a regular member. They often tour with solo acts as well as bands and jazz ensembles. Sidemen are generally required to be adaptable to many different styles of music, and so able to fit...
, Burrell recorded with a wide range of prominent musicians. He also led his own groups since 1951 and recorded many well received albums.
In the 1970s he began leading seminars about music, particularly Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
's. A highly popular performer, he has won several jazz polls in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
and the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
as well as the United States.
He has recorded about 106 albums, including Midnight Blue (1963), Blue Lights, Guitar Forms, Sunup To Sundown (1990), Soft Winds (1993), Then Along Came Kenny (1993), and Lotus Blossom (1995).
In 2001, Burrell performed "C Jam Blues" with Medeski, Martin & Wood for the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
's compilation album Red Hot + Indigo
Red Hot + Indigo
Red Hot + Indigo is the 13th entry from the Red Hot AIDS benefit series of compilation albums produced by Paul Heck. It marks the tenth anniversary of the Red Hot Organization , an international organization which uses mass media as a fundraising tool for its efforts at increasing public AIDS...
, a tribute to Duke Ellington
Duke Ellington
Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington was an American composer, pianist, and big band leader. Ellington wrote over 1,000 compositions...
, which raised money for various charities devoted to increasing AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
awareness and fighting the disease.
As of 1996, Burrell has served as Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA, mentoring such notable alumni as Gretchen Parlato
Gretchen Parlato
Gretchen Parlato is an American jazz singer. She has performed and recorded with musicians such as Lionel Loueke, Wayne Shorter and Kenny Barron....
and Kalil Wilson
Kalil Wilson
Kalil Amar Wilson is an American jazz, R&B, and classical vocalist and vocal coach.Wilson was born in Oakland, California and attended the Oakland Youth Chorus, and UC Berkeley's Young Musicians Program, before moving to Los Angeles in 2000 to attend UCLA. In 2006 he received his B.A...
. Burrell teaches a course entitled "Ellingtonia", examining the life and accomplishments of Duke Ellington.
As leader
- Introducing Kenny BurrellIntroducing Kenny BurrellIntroducing Kenny Burrell is the debut album by American jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell, recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label. In 2000, it was released on the 2 CD-set Introducing Kenny Burrell: The First Blue Note Sessions along with Kenny Burrell Volume 2, plus bonus...
(Blue NoteBlue Note RecordsBlue Note Records is a jazz record label, established in 1939 by Alfred Lion and Max Margulis. Francis Wolff became involved shortly afterwards. It derives its name from the characteristic "blue notes" of jazz and the blues. At the end of the 1950s, and in the early 1960s, Blue Note headquarters...
, 1956) - Kenny Burrell Volume 2Kenny Burrell Volume 2Kenny Burrell Volume 2 is an album by American jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label. In 2000, it was released on the 2 CD-set Introducing Kenny Burrell: The First Blue Note Sessions along with Introducing Kenny Burrell, plus bonus tracks.-Track listing:#...
(Blue Note, 1956) - Swingin' (Blue Note, 1956)
- All Night Long (PrestigePrestige RecordsPrestige Records was a jazz record label founded in 1949 by Bob Weinstock. The company was located at 203 South Washington Avenue in Bergenfield, New Jersey, and recorded hundreds of albums by many of the leading jazz musicians of the day, sometimes issuing them under the names of several...
, 1956) - Two Guitars (Prestige, 1957)
- All Day LongAll Day LongAll Day Long is a jazz album by guitarist Kenny Burrell. It was released in 1957 under Prestige label as PRLP 7081. It's characterized by fast pieces and also was one of the first albums in which Burrell was presented as a leader. All the pieces were composed by the members of the band...
(Prestige, 1957) - Earthy (Prestige, 1957)
- Kenny Burrell (Prestige, 1957)
- K.B. Blues (Blue Note, 1957)
- Kenny Burrell and John ColtraneKenny Burrell and John ColtraneKenny Burrell and John Coltrane is a 1963 album credited to jazz musicians Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane. Burrell was the actual leader for the session, but as Coltrane's fame grew during the 1960s long after he had stopped recording for the label, Prestige assembled varied recordings, often...
(Prestige, 1958) - Blue Lights Volume 1 (Blue Note, 1958)
- Blue Lights Volume 2 (Blue Note, 1958)
- On View at the Five Spot CafeOn View at the Five Spot CafeOn View at the Five Spot Cafe is a live album by American jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell with drummer Art Blakey. It was recorded live at the Five Spot Cafe in New York City on August 25, 1959, and released on the Blue Note label....
(Blue Note, 1959) - A Night at the Vanguard (ArgoArgo RecordsArgo Records was started in December of 1955 to accommodate some of the rapidly growing recording activity at Chess Records. Originally the label was called Marterry, but bandleader Ralph Marterie objected, and within a couple of months the imprint was renamed Argo.Initially, Argo offered a...
, 1959) - Weaver of Dreams (ColumbiaColumbia RecordsColumbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, 1960) - Bluesin' Around (Columbia, 1961)
- Bluesy Burrell (Moodsville, 1962)
- Blue Bash! (with Jimmy Smith)(Verve, 1963)
- Midnight Blue (Blue Note, 1963)
- Freedom (Blue Note, 1963)
- Soul Call (Prestige, 1964)
- Guitar FormsGuitar FormsGuitar Forms is a 1964 album by Kenny Burrell, featuring arrangements by Gil Evans. However, the presence of the Evans' orchestra is somewhat misleading, as it appears on only five of the album's nine tracks; the most ambitious of these is the nearly 10-minute "Lotus Land." Three tracks are blues...
(VerveVerve RecordsVerve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
, 1965) - The Tender Gender (Cadet, 1966)
- Have Yourself a Soulful Little Christmas (CadetCadet RecordsCadet Records was started as Argo Records in 1955 as the jazz subsidiary of Chess Records. Argo changed its name in 1965 to Cadet to avoid confusion with the similarly named label in the UK...
1967) - Blues - the Common Ground (Verve, 1968)
- Asphalt Canyon Suite (VerveVerve RecordsVerve Records is an American jazz record label now owned by Universal Music Group. It was founded by Norman Granz in 1956, absorbing the catalogues of his earlier labels, Clef Records and Norgran Records , and material which had been licensed to Mercury previously.-Jazz and folk origins:The Verve...
1969) - God Bless the Child (CTICTI RecordsCTI Records was a jazz record label founded in 1967 by producer/A&R manager Creed Taylor. Initially, CTI was a subsidiary of A&M Records, but the label went independent in 1970...
, 1971) - ‘Round Midnight (FantasyFantasy RecordsFantasy Records is a United States-based record label that was founded by Max and Sol Weiss in 1949 in San Francisco, California. They had previously operated a record-pressing plant called Circle Record Company before forming the Fantasy label...
, 1972) - Ellington Is Forever (Fantasy, 1975–77)
- When Lights Are Low (1978)
- Moon and Sand (1979)
- Generation (Blue Note, 1986)
- Pieces of Blue and the Blues (Blue Note, 1988)
- Guiding Spirit (Contemporary, 1989)
- Sunup to Sundown (Contemporary, 1991)
- Lotus Blossom (Concord, 1995)
- Love is the Answer, featuring The Boys Choir of Harlem (Concord Concerto, 1998)
- *12-15-78 (32 Jazz, 1999)
- Introducing Kenny Burrell: The First Blue Note SessionsIntroducing Kenny Burrell: The First Blue Note SessionsIntroducing Kenny Burrell: The First Blue Note Sessions is a compilation album by jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell. It compiles:Introducing Kenny Burrell Kenny Burrell Volume 2 K.B...
(2000) - Lucky So and So (Concord Jazz, 2001)
- 75th Birthday Bash Live! (Blue Note, 2007)
- Be Yourself: Live at Dizzy's (Highnote, 2010)
As sideman
- Jazzmen of Detroit with Tommy FlanaganTommy FlanaganThomas Lee Flanagan was an American jazz pianist born in Detroit, Michigan, particularly remembered for his work with Ella Fitzgerald...
, Pepper AdamsPepper AdamsPark Frederick "Pepper" Adams III was a jazz baritone saxophonist and composer. He composed 43 pieces, was the leader on twenty albums, and participated in 600 sessions as a sideman.-Biography:...
, Paul ChambersPaul ChambersPaul Laurence Dunbar Chambers, Jr. was a jazz bassist. A fixture of rhythm sections during the 1950s and 1960s, his importance in the development of jazz bass can be measured not only by the length and breadth of his work in this short period but also his impeccable time, intonation, and virtuosic...
, Kenny ClarkeKenny ClarkeKenny Clarke , born Kenneth Spearman Clarke, nicknamed "Klook" and later known as Liaqat Ali Salaam, was a jazz drummer and an early innovator of the bebop style of drumming...
(1956; Savoy RecordsSavoy RecordsSavoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part in popularizing bebop.Savoy Records is an American record label specializing in jazz, R&B and gospel. Starting in the mid 1940s, Savoy played an important part...
)
With Bill Evans
Bill Evans
William John Evans, known as Bill Evans was an American jazz pianist. His use of impressionist harmony, inventive interpretation of traditional jazz repertoire, and trademark rhythmically independent, "singing" melodic lines influenced a generation of pianists including: Chick Corea, Herbie...
- QuintessenceQuintessenceQuintessence, literally fifth essence , can refer to:-Science:* Aether , the fifth classical element after earth, fire, water, and air...
(1972)
With Paul Chambers
Paul Chambers
Paul Laurence Dunbar Chambers, Jr. was a jazz bassist. A fixture of rhythm sections during the 1950s and 1960s, his importance in the development of jazz bass can be measured not only by the length and breadth of his work in this short period but also his impeccable time, intonation, and virtuosic...
- Bass on TopBass on TopBass on Top is an album by American jazz bassist Paul Chambers recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4½ stars stating "The result is a warm, entertaining collection of mainstream jazz that nevertheless...
(1957)
With Terry Gibbs
Terry Gibbs
Terry Gibbs is an American jazz vibraphonist and band leader.He has performed and/or recorded with Tommy Dorsey, Chubby Jackson, Buddy Rich, Woody Herman, Benny Goodman, Louie Bellson, Charlie Shavers, Mel Tormé, Buddy DeFranco, and others...
- Take It from MeTake It from Me (album)Take It from Me is an album by American jazz vibraphonist Terry Gibbs featuring performances recorded in 1964 for the Impulse! label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 3 stars stating "This is a likable small-group date"....
(Impulse!, 1964)
With John Jenkins
John Jenkins (jazz musician)
John Jenkins was an American jazz saxophonist.Jenkins initially studied clarinet in high school but switched to saxophone after six months on the instrument. He played in jam sessions led by Joe Segal at Roosevelt College from 1949-1956. He played with Art Farmer in 1955 and led his own group in...
- John Jenkins with Kenny BurrellJohn Jenkins with Kenny BurrellJohn Jenkins with Kenny Burrell is an album by American jazz saxophonist John Jenkins and jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell recorded in 1957 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(1957)
With Thad Jones
Thad Jones
Thaddeus Joseph Jones was an American jazz trumpeter, composer, and bandleader.-Biography:Thad Jones was born in Pontiac, Michigan to a musical family of ten . Thad Jones was a self taught musician, performing professionally by the age of sixteen...
- Detroit-New York JunctionDetroit-New York JunctionDetroit-New York Junction is an album by American jazz trumpeter Thad Jones featuring performances recorded in 1956 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(1956)
With Wynton Kelly
Wynton Kelly
Wynton Kelly was a Jamaican-born jazz pianist, who spent his career in the United States. He is perhaps best known for working with trumpeter Miles Davis from 1959-1962.-Biography:...
- PianoPiano (Wynton Kelly album)Piano , also released as Whisper Not, is an album by jazz pianist Wynton Kelly released on the Riverside label featuring performances by Kelly with Kenny Burrell, Paul Chambers, and Philly Joe Jones recorded in 1958.-Reception:...
(1958) - Comin' in the Back DoorComin' in the Back Door-Track listing:# "If That's the Way You Want It" - 2:36# "Comin' in the Back Door" - 2:20# "Don't Wait Too Long" - 2:10# "Nocturne" - 2:40# "The Bitter End" - 2:00...
(1963) - It's All Right!It's All Right!-Track listing:# "It's All Right" - 2:51# "South Seas" - 5:30# "Not a Tear" - 5:59# "Portrait of Jennie" -Track listing:# "It's All Right" (Curtis Mayfield) - 2:51# "South Seas" (Rudy Stevenson) - 5:30# "Not a Tear" (Stevenson) - 5:59# "Portrait of Jennie" -Track listing:# "It's All Right"...
(1964)
With Ike Quebec
Ike Quebec
Ike Quebec was an American jazz tenor saxophonist. His surname is pronounced KYOO-bek.Critic Alex Henderson wrote, "Though he was never an innovator, Quebec had a big, breathy sound that was distinctive and easily recognizable, and he was quite consistent when it came to down-home blues, sexy...
- Soul SambaSoul SambaSoul Samba is an album by American saxophonist Ike Quebec recorded in 1962 and released on the Blue Note label...
(1962)
With Freddie Roach
Freddie Roach (organist)
See Freddie Roach for the boxer.Freddie Roach is a soul jazz Hammond B3 organist born in the Bronx, New York. He was one of a handful of legendary jazz organists that made history in the 1960s, the golden era of the Hammond organ...
- Down to EarthDown to Earth (Freddie Roach album)Down to Earth is the debut album by American organist Freddie Roach recorded in 1962 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Stephen Thomas Erlewine awarded the album 4½ stars and stated "Freddie Roach differentiated himself from the legions of soul-jazz organists on...
(1962) - Mo' Greens PleaseMo' Greens PleaseMo' Greens Please is the second album by American organist Freddie Roach recorded in 1963 and released on the Blue Note label.-Reception:...
(1963)
With Charlie Rouse
Charlie Rouse
Charlie Rouse was an American hard bop tenor saxophonist and flautist. His career is marked by the collaboration for more than ten years with Thelonious Monk.- Biography :...
- Bossa Nova BacchanalBossa Nova BacchanalBossa Nova Bacchanal is an album by American saxophonist Charlie Rouse recorded in 1962 and released on the Blue Note label. The CD reissue includes on bonus track recorded in 1965.-Reception:...
(1962)
With Jimmy Smith
Jimmy Smith (musician)
Jimmy Smith was a jazz musician whose performances on the Hammond B-3 electric organ helped to popularize this instrument...
- House PartyHouse Party (Jimmy Smith album)House Party is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1957 and 1958 and released on the Blue Note label...
(1957) - Softly as a Summer BreezeSoftly as a Summer BreezeSoftly as a Summer Breeze is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1958 but not released on the Blue Note label until 1965...
(Blue Note, 1958) - Home Cookin'Home Cookin' (album)Home Cookin' is an album by American jazz organist Jimmy Smith featuring performances recorded in 1958 and 1959 and released on the Blue Note label. The album was rereleased on CD with five bonus tracks.-Reception:...
(1958–59)
With Stanley Turrentine
Stanley Turrentine
Stanley William Turrentine, also known as "Mr. T" or "The Sugar Man", was an American jazz tenor saxophonist.-Biography:Turrentine was born in Pittsburgh's Hill District into a musical family...
- Jubilee Shout!!!Jubilee Shout!!!Jubilee Shout!!! is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine compiled from two sessions recorded for the Blue Note label, the first performed by Turrentine with his brother Tommy Turrentine, Horace Parlan, George Tucker, and Al Harewood in 1961 and a 1962 session with Kenny Burrell added and...
(1962) - Hustlin'Hustlin' (album)Hustlin' is an album by jazz saxophonist Stanley Turrentine recorded for the Blue Note label and performed by Turrentine with Shirley Scott, Kenny Burrell, Bob Cranshaw, and Otis Finch.-Reception:...
(1964) - The Sugar ManThe Sugar ManThe Sugar Man is an album by Stanley Turrentine. The recording is a compilation of four separate dates, each with different conductors, arrangers and other personnel...
(1971)