Jazz Articles about John Burnett

John Burnett Orchestra: Down For Double

by Nic Jones
March 20, 2011

The John Burnett Orchestra is a formidable swing band because, while there's undoubted reverence in their evocations of the era, that reverence is tempered by sparks of originality. Indeed, the tight-but-loose thing which summarizes its collective sound is now pretty hard to come by, which makes this release a cause for celebration. When the band's joined by clarinetist Buddy DeFranco on the warhorse that is “Sing Sing Sing" it's impossible to keep from smiling in view of ...

John Burnett Orchestra with Special Guest Buddy DeFranco: Down For Double

by Jerry D'Souza
January 28, 2011

On his third CD as leader, conductor John Burnett pays tribute to the music of Glenn Miller, Buddy Rich, Duke Ellington and Count Basie, among others. The music here was recorded at three different times, from 2000 to 2010, but there is an underlying factor that unites it all. The John Burnett Orchestra swings mightily, abetted by some fine work from the soloists. The makeup of the orchestra underwent changes over the years; Burnett--who calls himself the architect ...

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem

by Ken Dryden
May 4, 2009

England native John Burnett has been a part of the Chicago jazz scene for some time. He presently hosts a weekday jazz radio program on WDCB and is also the conductor of his own Swing Orchestra (formed in 1999) which focuses on big band music of the '40s. Recorded live early last year at Fitzgerald's in Berwyn, Illinois, guest trumpeter Randy Sandke is featured on seven selections and proves to be the most compelling soloist, though the ...

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of the State Street, East of Harlem

by AAJ Italy Staff
April 22, 2009

Gioiosa ed ammiccante, la musica di questo CD scorre fluida e piacevole senza però lasciare tracce originali. La informa un disteso e compiaciuto mainstream, avente per modello le grandi orchestre swing bianche e nere degli anni '40. Con perizia tecnica e fedeltà assoluta al modello, l'ensemble guidato da John Burnette si muove calligraficamente nella vasta letteratura per big band del jazz, rivisitando i capolavori di Basie, Gillespie, Goodman, Roy Eldridge. L'atmosfera calda e rilassata dell'esibizione live serve a mantenere su ...

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West Of State Street / East Of Harlem

by Nic Jones
March 22, 2009

Accolades from the likes of Buddy De Franco and Louie Bellson might lend this band additional legitimacy as keeper of the flame, but its sheer love for the music, as manifested in countless ways here, is more than sufficient in itself. In times like these it takes love as much as anything else to put music like this out at all, but it's abundantly clear that the therapeutic effect of it should be incorporated in some kind of health plan. ...

John Burnett Swing Orchestra: West of State Street/East of Harlem

by Jerry D'Souza
November 29, 2008

The John Burnett Orchestra specializes in forties style big band swing. That is a comfortable zone to be in with the calibre of musicians that Burnett has in his band. They conceptualize the music of the period perfectly, playing with both warmth and verve. What makes it all the more appealing is the deep emotion and wholehearted commitment they bring to the music.

Burnett has chosen from a diverse blend of composers for this recording, and gives the music that ...

John Burnett and His Orchestra: Swingin' in the Windy City

by Jack Bowers
April 1, 2001

John Burnett, a transplanted Englishman who is best known to Chicagoans as the morning host at WDCB–FM, a Jazz–oriented outlet of the College of DuPage, has had a life–long love affair with big bands, especially those that flourished during America’s golden age of big–band music, also known as the Swing Era. He’d always dreamed of leading a band of his own, and in January ’99 made that dream a reality by forming the John Burnett Orchestra whose main purpose is ...