Jazz Articles about Kenny Burrell

Kenny Burrell: 75th Birthday Bash Live!

by John Barron
June 17, 2007

At 75, Kenny Burrell's career should be considered a lesson in longevity. Swinging as hard as ever, the guitarist's patented style of smooth-toned, blues-inflected bop that has made him a favorite of jazz audiences and an inspiration to legions of guitarists is strongly intact. 75th Birthday Bash Live! is a fitting celebration in honor of the Detroit native who has been churning out spectacular recordings since his debut as a leader over fifty years ago with Introducing Kenny Burrell (Blue ...

Jimmy Smith: Home Cookin'

by Sean Patrick Fitzell
June 18, 2005

"The Incredible Jimmy Smith cemented his reputation as the king of jazz organ during his prolific residency at Blue Note from 1956-63, as both a leader and collaborator with labelmates. His popularity and record sales helped the label grow and foster new talent. When he returned to Blue Note later in his career, it was only appropriate that they revisit and restore those early releases so essential for Smith's, and Blue Note's, legacy. Home Cookin' is the ...

Kenny Burrell: Blue Muse

by Rex Butters
August 25, 2003

Since the '50s, Kenny Burrell has contributed crucial titles to some of the most important jazz labels, including Blue Note, Verve, Columbia, and Muse. For his 96th album, Burrell sticks to what's worked well for him over the past fifty years: some blues, some Ellington, some swing, and several ballads, all played with beautiful tone and exquisite taste. To keep things fresh, Burrell adds some unusual flavors to the stew: acoustic guitar and voice.

At the dawn of his lengthy ...

Kenny Burrell: Stormy Monday Blues

by Derek Taylor
November 1, 2001

Over the years Kenny Burrell has largely remained true to his roots. Ranked among the most revered jazz artists of his generation he’s waxed a wealth of sessions both as leader and sideman that approaches the countless. The two dates combined on this two-fer visit him in the lean years of the Seventies and suggest that even a bop disciple of Burrell’s relative purity was susceptible to encroaching trends and influences.

Stormy Monday, the first in the pair of records ...

Kenny Burrell: Lucky So And So

by AAJ Staff
June 1, 2001

As one of the premier jazz guitarists--and in the estimation of many, as the premier jazz guitarist by virtue of technique, output and memorable recordings--Kenny Burrell has created work heard, analyzed, transcribed, taught and enjoyed by legions of educators and aspiring guitarists. Epitomizing exquisite taste on his instrument-whether in an easy swing, balladic sensitivity or a bop feel--Burrell has assumed the challenge of performing in so many forms with such sophistication that he understates the difficulty of his work.

Kenny Burell/John Coltrane: Kenny Burrell and John Coltrane

by David Rickert
May 1, 2001

Albums in which one jazz great “meets" another jazz great hold a special fascination with listeners and usually the collaboration itself is enough of a selling point to include it as the title. Consider Gerry Mulligan, who tended to record his best playing in tandem with another, like Ben Webster, Paul Desmond, and Stan Getz. Another frequent collaborator was Coltrane, who recorded with Ellington, Hawkins, and Hartman; however, his brilliant quartet recordings for Impulse tend to overshadow recordings such as ...

Jimmy Smith: Organ Grinder Swing

by C. Andrew Hovan
January 1, 2001

It was through his early work on Blue Note that the world-shattering innovations of Jimmy Smith first reached the record buying public. Pure be-bop was the order of the day and aside from a special guest or two thrown in from time to time, Smith worked mainly in a trio context. Then the organist left for Verve Records and producer Creed Taylor broadened Smith's horizons by recording him with large ensembles, not to mention getting him to add a bluesy ...