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Dave Burrell

Distinguished composer-pianist Dave Burrell is a performing artist of singular stature on the international contemporary music scene. His dynamic compositions, with blues and gospel roots recall the tradition of Jelly Roll Morton, James P. Johnson and Duke Ellington. After majoring in music at the University of Hawaii, he enrolled at Berklee College of Music in Boston in 1961. After graduating with degrees in composition/arranging and performance in 1965, he moved to New York City, where he quickly established himself as one of the most innovative and original pianists, collaborating with the emerging leaders in contemporary jazz.

Burrell’s Jazz Opera Windward Passages, written in collaboration with Swedish-born poet/lyricist Monika Larsson, blends opera voices with world class jazz soloists, a 21-piece jazz opera orchestra, dancers and chorus. Seldom has the classically trained voice played such a unique improvising roll as in this important, ground-breaking endeavor. Burrell’s dance drama, Holy Smoke, with blue-print by Monika Larsson, is being developed for modern dance and tap. Burrell’s Suite for Violin and Piano is completed and will be orchestrated for symphony orchestra.

Dave Burrell was recently featured on NPR’s nationally syndicated show Fresh Air, hosted by Terry Gross. In January, 2006 Burrell performed solo piano at a symposium, The Lomax Legacy: Folklore in a Globalizing Century, presented by American Folk Life Center at the Library of Congress and the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage, Washington, D.C.

Dave Burrell appears regularly on national and international TV and radio broadcasts, including NPR’s Centennial Tribute to Jelly Roll Morton, Dr. Jazz, Duke Ellington’s Centennial Duke and the Piano, Louis Armstrong’s The Wonderful World of Louis Armstrong, and Leonard Bernstein: An American Life.

Upcoming performances include the Vision Festival, New York City June 13 with Billy Martin, La Vilette in Paris September 7 with The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield, The Legacy Series, Kingston, New York, September 24 solo piano, Akbar Jazz Festival, Istanbul October 4 with Db3, and Bordeaux Jazz Festival, France November 9 with Burrell’s Italian trio presenting his re-arrangement of La Vie de Boheme.

Burrell wrote an original score to Oscar Micheaux’s black and white film Body and Soul (1925). Some of the music will be featured on Burrell’s forthcoming CD, Db3 (High Two Records). Amulet Records new release, Consequences, features Dave Burrell and percussionist Billy Martin (Medeski, Martin and Wood). Burrell’s project, Leena Conquest Sings the Songs of Dave Burrell, an original music cabaret by Dave Burrell and lyricist Monika Larsson will be recorded in Italy in September, 2006.

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Album Review

Clifford Thornton: Ketchaoua Revisited + Arthur Jones Trio: Scorpio

Read "Ketchaoua Revisited + Arthur Jones Trio: Scorpio" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro


Clifford Thornton è una di quelle figure rimaste fin troppo fra le pieghe della mitologia (sia detto ovviamente senza alcun intento ironico) free, e più ancora il pressoché sconosciuto altosassofonista Arthur Jones, l'uno nato a Philadelphia nel 1936 e scomparso nel 1989, l'altro nato a Cleveland nel 1940 e morto nel 1998. Questa preziosa ristampa, che allinea i dischi d'esordio in proprio di entrambi, editi a suo tempo dalla leggendaria Byg Actuel, l'uno, Ketchaoua, nel 1969, l'altro, Scorpio, due anni ...

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Album Review

Dave Burrell: Harlem Rhapsody

Read "Harlem Rhapsody" reviewed by Mark Corroto


It would be an error to characterize pianist Dave Burrell as a witness to history. Avant-garde jazz history that is. The octogenarian was heard in the 1960s groups of Marion Brown, Pharoah Sanders, Noah Howard, Archie Shepp, Sonny Sharrock, Sunny Murray, and Grachan Moncur III, while also exchanging ideas in New York with Albert Ayler, Sam Rivers, and Tony Williams. Burrell is not just a witness; he is the embodiment of jazz history. In the 1990s, together with David Murray, ...

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Album Review

Noah Howard: Quartet To At Judson Hall, Revisited

Read "Quartet To At Judson Hall, Revisited" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Saxophonist Noah Howard is a musician deserving wider recognition. Born in New Orleans in 1943, like many black musicians he began playing music in the church. After a stint in the army, he settled on the West Coast where the avant-garde was progressing outside the purview of New York, which at the time was considered the center of all things jazz. The West Coast was also the origin of such as avant-gardists as Ornette Coleman, Don Cherry, Charlie Haden, and ...

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Album Review

Ivo Perelman - Dave Burell - Bobby Kapp: Trichotomy

Read "Trichotomy" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Intrepid saxophonist Ivo Perelman is a master improviser who has the knack of engaging others of a similar mindset to create provocative music. On his third release of 2023, the stimulating Trichotomy, he joins forces with the equally innovative pianist Dave Burrell with whom he recorded a duo session a few years back. Versatile drummer Bobby Kapp, another idiosyncratic artist, completes the trio which stretches out on two long, dynamic, multilayered pieces. “Part One" starts off with a ...

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Extended Analysis

Brass And Ivory Tales

Read "Brass And Ivory Tales" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Innovative saxophonist Ivo Perelman celebrates his 60th birthday with the release of a magnum opus, Brass And Ivory Tales. Recorded over a period of seven years, this nine-volume box set is impressive in both its depth and breath as it matches Perelman with a different piano master per disc. The improvised duets are usually the first documented meeting between the two musicians and the instant and rapidly evolving synergy is fresh and thrilling. Both remarkable and expected is Perelman's ability ...

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Album Review

Ivo Perelman: Brass And Ivory Tales

Read "Brass And Ivory Tales" reviewed by Mark Corroto


Archeologists and cultural anthropologists theorize early humans had some form of music appreciation. They listened to the sounds wind made as it passed through trees. The breeze sounded different passing through oak than it did fir trees, and the sound was altered whether it was spring or fall. Then there were the bird songs, the first Lennon & McCartneys of the stone age. Early man replicated these melodies, with bones that could be whittled into horns or used to recreate ...

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Album Review

Steve Swell: Astonishments

Read "Astonishments" reviewed by John Pietaro


Among the trombonists of New York's downtown scene, or uptown for that matter, no one even comes close to Steve Swell. His level of artistry, ability to create within any sonic cloud, compositional strengths and sheer fortitude set a new standard decades ago. Deemed a veteran of the new music that tore up the 1970s and '80s, Swell has, too, been a tireless voice within new millennial jazz and free circles. The music industry has never acknowledged the music of ...

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Festival

Vision Festival 19 Concludes With Pianos And A Voice.

Vision Festival 19 Concludes With Pianos And A Voice.

Source: Chris Rich

Along with the celebrations of Amiri Baraka and Roy Campbell on the final day of Vision Festival 19 are several ensemble situations for piano from a duet fir Angelica Sanchez, a trio for Connie Crothers and the venerable Dave Burrell in striking quartet with Kidd Jordan, William Parker and Hamid Drake. And the voice of Fay Victor in a drum duet makes a perfect contrast. It is a quintessence of the Vision Festival outlook that Art for Arts has carefully ...

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Event

Inspired By The 150th Anniversary Of The Civil War, Concert And Exhibition At The Rosenbach Feature Original Work By Renowned Pianist & Composer Dave Burrell

Inspired By The 150th Anniversary Of The Civil War, Concert And Exhibition At The Rosenbach Feature Original Work By Renowned Pianist & Composer Dave Burrell

Source: The Rosenbach of the Free Library of Philadelphia

World-renowned jazz pianist Dave Burrell will once again debut original work at The Rosenbach of the Free Library of jny: Philadelphia in exclusive concert performances on Thursday, April 10 at 6:00 pm and Saturday, April 12 at 7:00 pm. The fourth in a five-year series of concerts commemorating the sesquicentennial anniversary of the Civil War, Burrell’s work for 2014 explores fascinating new territory. Entitled Listening to Lincoln, the piece is inspired by both the massacre of black Union soldiers at ...

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Event

Composer Dave Burrell’s Civilians During War Time Premieres at the Rosenbach Museum & Library, Jan. 18 & 21

Composer Dave Burrell’s Civilians During War Time Premieres at the Rosenbach Museum & Library, Jan. 18 & 21

Source: Canary Promotion + Design

World-renowned jazz pianist performs new compositions inspired by Civil War research Wednesday, Jan. 18, 6:00-7:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2:00-3:30 p.m. and 7:00-8:30 p.m. Rosenbach Museum & Library, 2008-2010 Delancey Place, Philadelphia Free with museum admission, but RSVP is required. To RSVP, call (215) 732-1600, ext. 123 or email [email protected]. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, $5 for students and free for children under five. For more information visit rosenbach.org. The Rosenbach Museum & Library welcomes ...

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Performance / Tour

Dave Burrell Explores 150th Anniversary of the Start of the Civil War January 19 & 22 at Rosenbach Museum & Library

Dave Burrell Explores 150th Anniversary of the Start of the Civil War January 19 & 22 at Rosenbach Museum & Library

Source: Canary Promotion + Design

The Rosenbach Museum & Library Celebrates Civil War 150: New exhibition The Civil War Begins opens December 15; Today in the Civil War blog offers daily look at the unfolding saga of the War; Jazz musician Dave Burrell to perform Portraits of Civil War Heroes, January 19 & 22 Philadelphia, PA: The Rosenbach Museum & Library in Philadelphia is home to an extraordinary and unique Civil War-era collection. Beginning in November 2010, the museum will present several programs commemorating Civil ...

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Performance / Tour

Dave Burrell Plays His Songs Featuring Leena Conquest (Rai Trade, 2010)

Dave Burrell Plays His Songs Featuring Leena Conquest (Rai Trade, 2010)

Source: Music and More by Tim Niland

Pianist Dave Burrell and vocalist Leena Conquest have both been associated with the jazz avant-garde, Burrell on the basis of some very influential records as a leader and a sideman since the 1960's, and Conquest for her wonderful singing on various projects by bassist William Parker. On this album they defy any easy pigeon holing or categorization, performing a set of Burrell's original compositions and lyrics. Collaborating with poet and lyricist Monika Larsson, Burrell develops a set of lyrics that ...

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Performance / Tour

Expansion / Momentum

Expansion / Momentum

Source: Ars Nova Workshop

On September 9 and 10, Ars Nova Workshop will present two back-to-back nights of performances at Philadelphia Art Alliance to celebrate the 70th birthday of legendary jazz pianist Dave Burrell. For this very special occasion, Philadelphia-based Burrell will be playing with bassist William Parker and native Philadelphian and multi-instrumentalist (saxophones, flute, clarinets) Sabir Mateen. These three artists have worked together on several occasions, including with Parker's The Inside Songs of Curtis Mayfield project. Since he began making music in the ...

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Event

The Rosenbach Presents Jazz Pianist Dave Burrell's Premiere of Syllables of the Poetry of Marianne Moore, Feb. 20 & 23

The Rosenbach Presents Jazz Pianist Dave Burrell's Premiere of Syllables of the Poetry of Marianne Moore, Feb. 20 & 23

Source: Canary Promotion + Design

The Rosenbach presents famed jazz pianist Dave Burrell's premiere of Syllables of the Poetry of Marianne Moore; Feb. 20 & 23 a series of new compositions inspired by the museum's diverse collections PHILADELPHIA - The Rosenbach Museum & Library welcomes Philadelphia's Dave Burrell, famed composer, jazz pianist and Musician-in-Residence to the museum on Wednesday, February 20 at 6:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 23 at 2:00 p.m. Burrell will premiere Syllables of the Poetry of Marianne Moore, a series of new ...

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Performance / Tour

Pianist Dave Burrell Celebrates 65 Years, Performs Duets with Billy Martin

Pianist Dave Burrell Celebrates 65 Years, Performs Duets with Billy Martin

Source: All About Jazz

This month, pianist/composer Dave Burrell celebrates his 65th birthday. Best known for his remarkable contributions to recordings from saxophonists Archie Shepp, Pharoah Sanders and David Murray, Burrell’s recent accomplishments as a leader are best described by critic Francis Davis: “Burrell crams a century of jazz history into every chugging stride episode and churning dissonance. Encyclopedic as well as eccentric, he’s a living treasure." On Monday, October 10 at 8pm, Dave Burrell and percussionist Billy Martin (from Medeski, Martin and Wood) ...

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Performance / Tour

Oliver Lake Trio + Dave Burrell Duo in Philadelphia

Oliver Lake Trio + Dave Burrell Duo in Philadelphia

Source: All About Jazz

Ars Nova Workshop presents:

Saturday, June 11 | 8pm OLIVER LAKE TRIO with Oliver Lake, tenor saxophone Michael Gregory Jackson, guitar Pheeroan akLaff, drums

Oliver Lake (b. 1942) was a founding member of St. Louis' Black Artist's Group (BAG) - a collective akin to Chicago's AACM - which also included Julius Hemphill and Charles “Bobo" Shaw. In 1976, with Hemphill, Hamiet Bluiett, and David Murray, he founded the World Saxophone ...

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Radio

Pianist/Composer Dave Burrell on NPR's 'Fresh Air' tonight, Monday, May 9

Pianist/Composer Dave Burrell on NPR's 'Fresh Air' tonight, Monday, May 9

Source: All About Jazz

Please join pianist/composer Dave Burrell and Terry Gross on NPR's 'Fresh Air' tonight, Monday, May 9. In Philadelphia, visit 90.9 FM [WHYY] at 3:00 or 7:00pm. In New York City, visit 93.9 FM [WNYC] at 3:00pm. Or, check your local listings at http://freshair.npr.org/.

Upcoming Ars Nova Workshop events include: Tuesday, May 17 | 8 + 10pm Peter Brotzmann Chicago Tentet Community Education Center Theatre, 3500 Lancaster Avenue Thursday, May 19 | 8pm ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Trichotomy

Mahakala Music
2023

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Harlem Rhapsody

Parco Della Musica
2023

buy

Then & Now

Postcards
2022

buy

Brass And Ivory Tales

Fundacja Sluchaj
2021

buy

Downfall

From: Momentum
By Dave Burrell

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