Kenny Burrell

Early Life

Kenny Burrell, born Kenneth Earl Burrell on July 31, 1931, in Detroit, Michigan, was the youngest of six siblings. Tragically, he lost three of his eldest sisters in childhood and his father, an auto mechanic, passed away when Burrell was just six years old. Despite these hardships, music was a constant presence in his life, as both parents played instruments. At the age of 12, inspired by the recordings of jazz guitarist Charlie Christian, Burrell picked up the guitar. His passion for jazz deepened after listening to Oscar Moore, and he was particularly influenced by Django Reinhardt, who taught him the importance of individuality in music. Burrell studied composition and theory with Louis Cabara and classical guitar with Joe Fava, and during his time at Wayne State University, he made his recording debut in 1951 with Dizzy Gillespie's sextet.

Career

After graduating in 1955, Burrell toured with the legendary Oscar Peterson and moved to New York City in 1956. He quickly recorded his first album as a leader for Blue Note and became a sought-after sideman, collaborating with notable artists such as Tony Bennett, Lena Horne, Billie Holiday, and Jimmy Smith. From 1957 to 1959, he held the chair previously occupied by Charlie Christian in Benny Goodman’s band. Burrell's prolific recording career includes acclaimed albums like "The Cats" with John Coltrane and "Midnight Blue" with Stanley Turrentine. In 1978, he began teaching a course at UCLA on Duke Ellington, who regarded Burrell as his favorite guitarist. Since 1996, he has served as the Director of Jazz Studies at UCLA, mentoring future jazz talents.

Awards and Honors

Kenny Burrell's contributions to music have been recognized with numerous accolades, including a Grammy Award for his work on Dee Dee Bridgewater's album "Dear Ella" and the title of NEA Jazz Master in 2005. He was also honored as a Grammy Salute To Jazz Honoree in 2010, reflecting his enduring impact on the jazz genre over a career spanning several decades.