Christopher Burnett

Christopher Burnett

Musicians | Instrument: Saxophone, alto | Location: Kansas City

With The Standards Vol. 1, Burnett shows how songs continue to evolve and allow players to express their own unique style. The level of musicianship is exceptional here, and Burnett definitely gives each song a refreshing vitality.

—All About Jazz

Updated: March 13, 2024

Born: November 2, 1955

Saxophonist, educator, and military band veteran Christopher L. Burnett is known for his warm and lyrical jazz sound. Following a 20-plus year military career during which he taught and performed, Burnett embarked on a fruitful career teaching at a university and became a performer. He continued to perform in his native Kansas, releasing albums like 2013's Time Flies, 2014's Firebird, and 2021's The Standards, Vol. 1. 

Born in Olathe, Kansas, Burnett grew up in a military family. Consequently, he moved often before settling in the Kansas City area. Along with his older brother, drummer Richie Pratt, Burnett was exposed to music growing up. His mother introduced him to the piano and he was a member of the youth choir at his church. As part of his school band program, he took up saxophone and clarinet. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Music Program where, along with performing, he continued to pursue higher education, studying at the Armed Forces School of Music, Webster University, Missouri's Columbia College, Berklee College of Music, and American University. Burnett spent over 22 years in the military, rising to the distinguished rank of First Sergeant in the position of Enlisted Bandleader. While in the military he held numerous positions, including a staff and faculty assignment at the Armed Forces School of Music. He was also the Leading Chief Petty Officer of the NATO Band in Naples, Italy. There, he served as NATO Ceremonial Band Conductor, directed the jazz band, and performed as a featured soloist. Other assignments included being selected to play the lead alto saxophone chair with the West Point Military Academy Band's Jazz Knights, selection for assignment as a Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal Conductor at the Armed Forces School of Music, and being a featured soloist with the Hof Symphony Orchestra in Germany. By the time he left the military, he had been awarded both the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Army Meritorious Service Medal. 

Outside the military, Burnett continued to teach, holding the position of director of the jazz ensemble program at Missouri University of Science and Technology (formerly University of Missouri-Rolla) where he worked as an Adjunct Lecturer for a decade. He has performed with artists like Bobby Watson, Will Matthews, Marcus Hampton, Ahmed Alaadeen, and many more. Based in the Kansas City area, Burnett is the Founder and Artistic Director of KC Area Youth Jazz and along with colleagues Erica Lindsay and Sumi Tonooka is a co-founder of the large independent recording label, Artists Recording Collective. 

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All About Jazz Articles

12
Album Review

Christopher Burnett: The Standards, Vol. 2 (Live at The Drum Room in Kansas City)

Read "The Standards, Vol. 2 (Live at The Drum Room in Kansas City)" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


During its heyday, The Drum Room in The Hotel President was one of Kansas City's most popular jazz venues. Performers such as Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, and Benny Goodman all played there. The Drum Room closed during the late seventies but was brought back to life a few years later and, between 2006 and 2007, The Christopher Burnett Quartet performed there on the first Saturday night of each month. That was Burnett's first outing as a bandleader and his tenure ...

5
Album Review

Christopher Burnett: The Standards, Vol. 1

Read "The Standards, Vol. 1" reviewed by Kyle Simpler


Modern jazz can certainly take a variety of different forms, but standards still remain the foundation for many players. With The Standards Vol. 1, Christopher Burnett brings modern and traditional elements together in an excellent meeting. His approach is to bring a traditional approach to each song, whether it's a well-loved favorite or an original composition. Burnett is a Kansas City native with an impressive professional background. After serving 22 years in the Army, where he was able ...

178
Album Review

Chris Burnett: Time Flies

Read "Time Flies" reviewed by IDM Records


Chris Burnett - Saxophonist/Composer. The music presented on the debut Time Flies is very representative of instrumental jazz - the indigenous American art form that is a unique blend of western music and African rhythms which creates new and exciting harmonies and syncopation. From Jelly Roll Morton to Wynton Marsalis, jazz exists in many forms and Burnett's music is a refreshing addition to this legacy.Jazz is a nebulous entity, constantly absorbing, digesting and reflecting our society and culture. ...

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Articles Across the Web

...or were mentioned in an All About Jazz article.

1

Website

All About Jazz Top 10 Tracks: April 2021

All About Jazz Top 10 Tracks: April 2021

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz features a free song every day spanning all genres of jazz, and of the 30 tracks featured in April, these ten represent our personal favorites. We also included the top ten reader favorites as indicated by total listens. Musicians and record labels can submit full length MP3s for consideration here. Enjoy! Top Tracks I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me Fifth Element From: Fifth Element 4:07 Dolphin Dance

11

Recording

Saxophonist Christopher Burnett Set to Release Standards Album On ARC Label

Saxophonist Christopher Burnett Set to Release Standards Album On ARC Label

Source: Artists Recording Collective, LLC

Kansas City based alto saxophonist, composer and educator, Christopher Burnett has announced the recording of his fourth album as a leader titled, The Standards, Vol. 1 on the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) label. The album of mostly post-bop compositions will be released in 2020 to purposely coincide with the 100th birth year of bebop pioneer, Charlie Parker. “I have at least 50 jazz masterworks that I really love for various reasons," Burnett said. “And obviously, as a composer, I hope ...

1

Education

Joel Nichols Joins Kansas City Area Youth Jazz As Spokesperson, Emcee, Consultant

Joel Nichols Joins Kansas City Area Youth Jazz As Spokesperson, Emcee, Consultant

Source: Christopher Burnett

KC Area Youth Jazz is pleased to announce the addition of Media Relations Expert and Kansas City area Radio and Television Personality, Joel Nichols as an official Spokesperson, Concert Emcee, and Media Consultant. “I’ve known Christopher [Burnett] for many years and look forward to working with KC Area Youth Jazz,” Nichols said. “I’m looking forward to serving the organization as an official spokesperson, concert emcee, and consultant.” An assistant professor of broadcasting for 25 years, Nichols knows the value of ...

3

Performance / Tour

American Jazz Museum To Participate In National Chamber Music Month

American Jazz Museum To Participate In National Chamber Music Month

Source: Artists Recording Collective, LLC

The American Jazz Museum will join thousands of musicians and hundreds of concert presenters across the country this May in celebrating National Chamber Music Month. The American Jazz Museum’s presentation of a monthlong calendar in the Blue Room jazz club that features Charlotte Embry and Soigné on Friday, May 1st; the Dino Massa / Chris Burnett Group on Friday, May 8th; and, the Jazz Disciples with vocalist, Lisa Henry and poet, Glenn North, is part of a nationwide initiative to ...

3

Recording

Firebird (Single Release) By Kansas City-Based Saxophonist/Composer Christopher Burnett

Firebird (Single Release) By Kansas City-Based Saxophonist/Composer Christopher Burnett

Source: Artists Recording Collective, LLC

jny: Kansas City, MO: BurnettMusic.com and the Artists Recording Collective LLC are pleased to present “Firebird" (single release) ARC-2581 from the forthcoming album by Christopher L. Burnett, BMI. “Firebird”, the first single, was released on Monday, September 1st exclusively at iTunes, Amazon Music, Google Play and CD Baby. The CD Baby download features the highly recommended MP3 320 and FLAC lossless audio file formats for discriminating listners. Featuring: Christopher Burnett: alto saxophone/composition; Roger Wilder: piano; Jeff Harshbarger: bass; Clarence Smith: ...

Music Industry

Tune Shop Instructor Selected To Conn Selmer Artist Roster

Tune Shop Instructor Selected To Conn Selmer Artist Roster

Source: Artists Recording Collective, LLC

Chris Burnett departs studio instruction after teaching weekly lessons since 2001. Tune Shop, Inc. today announced the departure of Chris Burnett from its weekly studio teacher roster after eleven years of providing private woodwind lessons at the store. Mr. Burnett will remain associated with the Tune Shop, Inc. in his role as an official Selmer (Paris) Saxophone artist and Conn-Selmer Performing Artist and Clinician. Tune Shop, Inc. is an authorized full service Conn-Selmer dealer. Mr. Burnett departs studio instruction after ...

Career

Chris Burnett Now Official Selmer Saxophone Artist

Chris Burnett Now Official Selmer Saxophone Artist

Source: Artists Recording Collective, LLC

Burnett Publishing and the Tune Shop, Inc. music store have officially announced the departure of Chris Burnett from the music store's weekly studio teacher roster after eleven years of providing private woodwind lessons at the store. Mr. Burnett will remain actively associated with the Tune Shop, Inc. in his role as an official Selmer (Paris) Saxophone artist and Conn-Selmer Performing Artist and Clinician. Tune Shop, Inc. is an authorized full service Conn-Selmer dealer. Mr. Burnett departs studio instruction after having ...

155

Book / Magazine

'ASR Records Artist, Chris Burnett Co-Featured on Cover of Jazz Ambassador Magazine

'ASR Records Artist, Chris Burnett Co-Featured on Cover of Jazz Ambassador Magazine

Source: Paul Collins Artist Management International

The June/July 2007 edition of Jazz Ambassador Magazine (JAM) contains a feature article about 'ASR Records Artist, Chris Burnett. Jazz Ambassador Magazine is undertaking a series of feature articles about Kansas City based saxophone artists of note. “It hit me like a meteor while the last JAM went to press that the ranks of classy saxophonists in the area is huge. Some, like Bobby Watson, the recently departed Kim Park, Gerald Dunn , Mark Southerland, and Ahmad Alaadeen have received ...

"With The Standards Vol. 1, Burnett shows how songs continue to evolve and allow players to express their own unique style. The level of musicianship is exceptional here, and Burnett definitely gives each song a refreshing vitality." ~ All About Jazz

"Burnett, one of the most industrious figures on Kansas City’s music scene, treats jazz as refined chamber music in his capacities as a saxophonist, bandleader, educator and record label executive. His genteel sensibilities are beautifully showcased on The Standards, Vol. 1." ~ Plastic Sax

“The best use of the flutes is on “Notos”, where they are gorgeous in ensemble with the two flugelhorns

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone, alto

Location

Kansas City

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Teaching Studio and Clinics services are dedicated to providing individual instruction programs based upon many years of teaching privately and at the university level, from the perspective of an active professional artist who has been a full-time working musician for decades. More information is available at BurnettSchool.net.

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Phil Woods
saxophone, alto
Miles Davis
trumpet
Paul Desmond
saxophone, alto
Joe Henderson
saxophone
Lee Konitz
saxophone, alto
Jackie McLean
saxophone, alto
Charlie Parker
saxophone, alto
Kansas City Area Youth Jazz
band / ensemble / orchestra

Links

Followers

All About Jazz user Michaela Rabitsch All About Jazz user Matthew Shell All About Jazz user Artists Recording Collective All About Jazz user Suzanne Spencer All About Jazz user Franklin Rodriguez All About Jazz user James Cooper All About Jazz user Cheryl Pyle All About Jazz user Sal La Rocca All About Jazz user B.J. Jansen All About Jazz user Vince Eury All About Jazz user Michael Ricci All About Jazz user Mark Haskins All About Jazz user Christopher Burnett All About Jazz user Billie Davies PR All About Jazz user Ken Joslin All About Jazz user Maxim Micheliov

Concerts

  Sat, Jun 22
Lee's Summit, MO
1st Annual Lee’s Summit Jazz...
Bridge Space
Sat, Jun 22. 2:00 pm

Music

Dolphin Dance

From: The Standards, Vol. 1
By Christopher Burnett