Birthday Tribute For Charles Burrell

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In the special edition of Backstage Jazz, musician Purnell Steen pays tribute to music icon Charles Burrell in preparation for his 103rd birthday at Dazzle's Jazz Club in Denver.

Burrell is a classical and jazz bassist and best known for being the first African American to be signed to a full-time contract in a major symphony orchestra in the United States. He is often called "the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music" for this accomplishment.

Burrell also performed with the San Francisco Symphony and later became a prominent figure in the Five Points jazz scene of Denver, sharing stages with the likes of Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington.

The music featured in this show comes from the rare 1979 album The Two Sides of Louise Duncan (Paragon Productions). "Alice Blue Gown" was recorded in concert on 3/19/78, and "Satin Doll" was recorded on 3/16/79 at Charley O's Supper Club in Lakeside, CO. The musicians are Louise Duncan (piano), Charlie Burrell (bass), Randy Miller (guitar), and Lee Arellano (drums). Thanks to Tad Wheeler for digitizing the tracks.

Thanks for listening, and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke, and inspire.

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