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Ronnie Burrage
Progressive, composer, musician, educator
About Me
Ronnie Burrage BIO
Ronnie Burrage has been immersed in the music of Jazz, R&B, Gospel, Funk, Rock, World and European Classical for most of his life! He has toured and or recorded with many great artist of our time, from Duke Ellington, Wayne shorter, Woody Shaw, McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp, Joe Zawinul, Jackie Mclean, Bobby McFerrin, Pat Metheny, Julius Hemphill, Jaco Pastorius, Michael & Randy Brecker, The Mingus Dynasty / Epitaph / Big Band to many, many others!
His compositions reflect his travel and experience in the World of music, from U.S. State Department tours to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, India, Africa, China, Japan, Brazil, Peru, Russia / Siberia and all of Europe spanning over 30 years!
He has Created and Introduced an Exciting new Class for Integrative Arts / Penn State University entitled, “Worlds Closer”! The Inspiration for this class is based on Building a Global Community and Diplomacy through Appreciation and Understanding of World Art Forms, Music, Literature, Film, Dance, Life!
This class in conjunction with Lectures and Performances will bring to Penn State and State College several cultural events by Artist from around the Globe offered free to the public, made available by Grants from EOPC, UPAC, The Penn State Jazz Club, Equal Opportunity Planning Commission, Integrative Arts Department and the School of Music!
Ronnie has forged his own style and record label: MiMikAlana Records and production company RoBurrage Music! His exciting new release for MiMikAlana & Bluenoise records entitled, “Bluenoise” is fresh with a new flare and cinematic vision of Jazz Standards and innovative new compositions!
My Jazz Story
Professional Biography & Documentation
Overview
Ronnie Burrage is a world-renowned percussionist, multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, and producer. Currently serving as a professor at CUNY Brooklyn College, he is
recognized as one of the finest jazz musicians on the international scene today, with an extensive discography spanning over 170 recordings.
Professional Credentials
Current Position
Professor - CUNY Brooklyn College https://www.brooklyn.edu/faculty-staff/ronnie-burrage/
Performance History
Ronnie Burrage has performed with an impressive roster of jazz legends, including:
Michael Brecker https://billmilkowski.substack.com/p/remembering-michael-brecker
Wayne Shorter https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/wayne-shorter
Joe Zawinul https://www.joezawinul.com/
Cedar Walton https://www.bluenote.com/artist/cedar-walton/
Woody Shaw https://youtu.be/FYLA5K4DhjE?si=RJlUqJH9v7V9w0pG
McCoy Tyner https://www.arts.gov/honors/jazz/mccoy-tyner
Pepper Adams https://www.pepperadams.com/
Sonny Rollins https://sonnyrollins.com/
Pat Metheny https://www.patmetheny.com/
Jaco Pastorius https://jacopastorius.com/
Sonny Fortune https://www.bluenote.com/artist/sonny-fortune/
Dianne Reeves https://diannereeves.com/
Wallace Roney http://www.wallaceroney.com/
Reggie Workman https://www.reggieworkmanmusic.com/
Jackie & Rene McLean https://youtu.be/OUoYzfrz7rE?si=Eak3H_Ok7Z7vQyJu
James Moody https://jamesmoody.com/
Gary Bartz https://concord.com/artist/gary-bartz/
Archie Shepp https://www.archieshepp.org/
John Hicks https://www.bluenote.com/artist/john-hicks/
The World Saxophone Quartet https://justin-time.com/collections/world-saxophone-quartet
Orchestra & Ensemble Experience
Krakow Symphony
London Philharmonic
The Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra
Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra
Gil Evans Orchestra
Jaco Pastorius Big Band
Julius Hemphill Big Band (Grammy Nominated)
Career Highlights
Recording Achievement
Featured on over 170 recordings as a master recording artist
Extensive discography showcasing versatile musical abilities
Global Performance Reach
Four continents of touring experience
Performances spanning from Siberia to South Africa to Japan
Over 52 years of professional performance since debut
Career Origin
Debut at age 9 when Duke Ellington invited him on stage in St. Louis, Missouri
Recognized as a child prodigy on drums
Educational Background & Teaching
Academic Positions
Professor Burrage has created and taught courses at prestigious institutions:
Pennsylvania State University
The New School NYC
University of the Arts Philadelphia
Berlin Conservatory
CUNY Brooklyn College (current)
Courses Developed & Taught
History of Jazz
Music of Global Cultures
World's Closer
Hip-Hop Music & Culture
The Art of the Jazz Ensemble
The Art of Improvisational Drum & Percussion
Private Instruction
Over 40 years of private instruction experience
Teaches drummers, percussionists, and musicians on various instruments
Specialized in developing versatile musical skills across instruments
