--- "The talent of success is nothing more
than doing what you can do well,
and doing well whatever you do
without thought of fame.
If it comes at all it will come because it is
deserved, not because it is sought after."
[QUOTE: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow] --- ARTIST STATEMENT
Since I have been a grown man for a while now, I find that my own life experiences, informed opinions, developed conclusions and conceived ideas are now the most fertile resources that serve as my primary artistic and musical influences. I have also long since developed my own techniques and approach as a creative musician. The work presented here is a sampling of these factors.
Coming from a military service bands career background has both, practical advantages and fundamental disadvantages. Advantages include the gaining of qualified professional experience and developing legitimate expertise covering most of the significant areas within the professional field of music. Disadvantages seem to be centered in the paradigm of likely having missed out on the types of networking that are so vital to acceptance within the jazz "community" and are generally established during initial formative years. So, at this matured stage in my career, in some ways I am 20 years ahead, and in others, I am 20 years behind. However, I seem to be maintaining a balance with this inherent dynamic nonetheless.
Considering all of the above, I have learned not to take myself "too seriously" and am therefore able to concentrate on creating music more so for the sake of the art of music, rather than predominantly as a commercial product. For me, this music is not about one's "ego" nor about "competition" with other musicians. Ultimately, life as a musician has been a lot of fun so far and I have paid a lot of dues...
philosophy of improvisation – the faith in the purity of the long line; the avoidance of licks and emotional chain-pulling;
and, the concentration on endlessly mining the harmonic and melodic possibilities within the music. --- --- So, beyond that natural type of growth one experiences as a human being (which I believe is essential for any artist), it is also important for balance to acknowledge that I have not developed technically in a vacuum. Like any professional artist, I too have had some great mentors, friends and teachers who have also greatly influenced my development as both, a musical artist and man.
THANKS: I owe my introduction to instrumental music to Mr. James R. Fuchs, a clarinetist, who was my first teacher and our school band director. Mr. Fuchs brought Gary Foster to our school as a guest soloist and clinician. Our high school band made an LP record album with him. Mr. Fuchs also introduced me to Mr. Charles Molina, another great saxophone/clarinet player and a KU graduate, who was part-owner of our local music store in town where I worked after school. Mr. Molina gave me lessons too.
Once my family stopped moving after my father's military career was over, we came back home to our native Kansas City metro area to live in Paola, Kansas. Paola is a small city/suburb of Kansas City, but it seems to ultimately have produced a lot of great musicians and notable artist-types over the years. As an example, Danny Carey (Tool), Steve Pepoon (Alf, The Simpsons, Rosanne, etc.), and upcoming NYC-based saxophonist, Ryan Anselmi also hail from my hometown... --- --- By the time I came back home to my native Kansas City metro area in 2001 and sought out the local legend named Alaadeen as a mentor in the KC jazz traditions, I'd already had many viable experiences as a professional musician. Our mutually beneficial association lasted over the next 5 years. Equally important at that point in my career was association with the well-established drummer/vocalist, David Basse, who was the first person on the KC jazz scene to give me work. If you want to hear some great KC-style music, check those gentlemen out too... --- --- Additionally, I enjoy checking out most all sincere artistic expressions that are made using sounds. There are many other artists (well-advertised and not-so-well-advertised) with whose work I feel a particularly strong artistic simpatico. I am a perpetual student of life and music - that's cool... --- THE SHORT LIST
I would have to say that my "favorite" saxophonist is the late tenor man, Joe Henderson. Mr. Henderson was a formidable composer, a technical master of the saxophone and an original artist who could seamlessly play ANY style of jazz!
And, my favorite musician at this point in my career is arguably the late pianist and composer, Dr. Andrew Hill. This was a toss up with another genius - Wayne Shorter... Dr. Hill's work is very resourceful, rich harmonically and uniquely original as well - check it out. I also believe that his music announces the end of the Post-Bop era and the beginning of our modern times in this music ...
Following is a list of influential musicians, scholars and teachers, along with other musicians whom I've discovered over the years. Some of these names are well known to the public and some are not. Seek out their music, if it is available, and check it out if you haven't already:
Richie Pratt, Charlie Parker, Louis Armstrong, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, Eric Dolphy, Reggie Johnson, Michael Session, Lee Konitz, Abdu Salim, Horace Tapscott, Andrew Hill, Jesse Sharps, Fuasi, Timothy McWright, Grachan Moncur III, Steve Coleman, Gary Thomas, Greg Osby, Charles Lloyd, Steve Wilson, Mark Turner, David Binney, Chris Cheek, Darryl Brenzel, Gary Bartz, Jaleel Shaw, Rob Wilkerson, Benny Reid, Alex Han, Logan Richardson, Dick Oats, Gregory Herbert, Eddie Daniels, Michael Lomax, Eric Person, Jimmy Greene, Keith Philbrick, Gene Thorne, Patrick Dillon, Branford Marsalis, Marcus Strickland, Gary Harris, Vijay Iyer, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Steve Lehman, Marco Zurzolo, Gerald Dunn, Doug Talley, David Chael, Rob Scheps, Josh Sclar, Cornell Hardy, Dennis Winslett, Marcus Hampton, Locksley "Slide" Hampton, Donald Harrison, Jr., Joshua Redman, Antonio Orta, Miguel Zenón, Vincent Herring, Jim Snidero, Sharel Cassity, Javier Guiterrez, Eric Daniel, Jerry Greene, Paul DeMarinis, Bobby Watson, Pat Metheny, Joseph Schillinger, O'tress Tandy, Dick Grove, Greg Prudom, Erica Lindsay, Francesca Tanksley, George Garzone, Buster Williams, Casey Benjamin, Ferdinand Povel, Dwight Foster, Sumi Tonooka, Rufus Reid, Bob Braye, Dexter Gordon, Marty Ehrlich, Willie Driffin, Stanley C. Swann III, Will Matthews, James Ward, Roger Wilder, Michael Pagan, Michael Shanks, Gary Foster, Don Byron, Miles Davis, Cannonball Adderley, John Coltrane, Michael Brecker, Chick Corea, Evan Tate, Gil Evans, Duke Ellington, Ornette Coleman, Bartok, Debussy, Brandon McCune, Sean Conly, Gregory Hutchinson, Harold O'Neal, Alma Micic, Rale Micic, Riley Bandy, Gregory Tardy, Ben van Gelder, Perico Sambeat, Dayna Stephens, Matana Roberts, Schoenberg and many others...
CONTACT INFO
I try to personally answer all emails sent through myspace. However, since I only spend a few moments at a time here online, I don't always have the time to dialogue back and forth through the email system here. If you or your organization wish to contact me directly, please go to the Contact Us page at BurnettMusic.com.
1. "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" personnel: Chris Burnett, alto saxophone; Roger Wilder, piano; Craig Akin, acoustic bass; and David Basse, drumset. arrangement by Chris Burnett (2004); composed by Ralph Blane, with lyrics written by Hugh Martin.
The song first appeared in a scene in Meet Me in St. Louis, in which a family is distraught by the father's plans to move to New York City for a job promotion, leaving behind their beloved home in St. Louis, Missouri just before the long-anticipated Louisiana Purchase Exposition begins. In a scene set on Christmas Eve, Judy Garland's character, Esther, sings the song to cheer up her despondent five-year-old sister, Tootie, played by Margaret O'Brien.[2]
When presented with the original draft, Garland, her co-star Tom Drake and director Vincente Minnelli criticized the song as depressing, with lines such as "Have yourself a merry little Christmas / It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past" and "Faithful friends who were dear to us / Will be near to us no more".[3] Though he initially resisted, songwriter Hugh Martin made several changes to make the song more upbeat. For example, the lines "It may be your last / Next year we may all be living in the past" became "Let your heart be light / Next year all our troubles will be out of sight".[3] Garland's version of the song, which was also released as a single by Decca Records, became popular among United States troops serving in World War II; her performance at the Hollywood Canteen brought many soldiers to tears.[4]
In 1957, Frank Sinatra asked Martin to revise the line "Until then we'll have to muddle through somehow". He told Martin, "The name of my album is A Jolly Christmas. Do you think you could jolly up that line for me?"[3] Martin's new line, "Hang a shining star upon the highest bough," has since become more widely recognized and sung than the original. Martin made several other alterations, changing the song's focus to a celebration of present happiness, rather than anticipation of a better future. Although the 1957 rewrite is the most familiar to listeners today, some artists, such as James Taylor, have issued more recent recordings with the original lyrics of the Judy Garland version.[3] Quiet Company recorded the song most recently for the 2007 release of Peace on Earth: A Holiday Album. The album was made available for download directly from the web. All proceeds from sales went to Toys for Tots charity.
SOURCE: Wikipedia --- 2. "Waltz For Mom" personnel: Chris Burnett, soprano saxophone; Jeff Stewart, piano; Elliot Kuykendall, acoustic bass; Kenny Baldwin, drumset; and Bob Habib, percussion. Chris Burnett, composition and arrangement. --- 3. "Invitation" personnel: Chris Burnett, alto saxophone; Michael Pagan, piano; James Ward, acoustic bass; and Michael Shanks, drumset. Chris Burnett Quartet arrangement; composed by Bronislau Kaper. --- 4. "Time Flies" personnel: Chris Burnett, soprano saxophone; Jeff Stewart, piano; Elliot Kuykendall, acoustic bass; Kenny Baldwin, drumset; and Bob Habib, percussion. Chris Burnett, composition and arrangement. --- 5. "Nefertiti" personnel: Chris Burnett, alto saxophone; Michael Pagan, piano; James Ward, acoustic bass; and Michael Shanks, drumset. Chris Burnett Quartet arrangement; composed by Wayne Shorter. --- 6. "To Each His Own" personnel: Chris Burnett, alto saxophone and MIDI programming; and Benjamin Lewis (MIDI Jazz Network), piano and MIDI programming. Chris Burnett, composition; Chris Burnett and Benjamin Lewis, arrangement. --- NOTE: *Song facts are excerpts from Wikipedia. All featured music samples in the player are presented for demonstration and educational purposes only.
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Jazz News : Chris Burnett Alto Saxophone and Composer
QUOTE: "One of the most promising emergent jazz musicians in town isn’t some kid straight out of school or still in school. But at age 51, alto saxophonist Chris Burnett is just beginning to get noticed as his own man."
QUOTE: "At The Drum Room, Chris' facility was sure as he breezed through his sets. The play list was strong, emphasizing classic compositions from jazz greats: "Dolphin Dance", "Black Narcissus", "Recorda-Me", "Moments Notice", and an original blues. Chris' tone is always controlled, and he has a way of embellishing the melody as he moves into his solo which is especially appealing."
QUOTE: "For more than 30 years, Chris Burnett has worked to develop his own language, his own sound. A musician's sound can't be borrowed or stolen, but rather expanded and created anew."
Artist Profile : Chris Burnett Alto Saxophone and Composer
A native of the Kansas City Area, award-winning composer and saxophone artist, Chris Burnett began his prolific professional start at the age of 18 years old while performing, touring and recording with Army bands from 1974-1996. He subsequently completed a 22-year career with noteworthy professional military music organizations that provided vast legitimate educational opportunities, covering several specific areas of musical study; while simultaneously providing him the essential incomparable real world performing and touring experiences necessary for an artist to mature and develop a unique musical voice.
An active BMI Writer Affiliate, his ensemble performances and studio recordings primarily feature his original compositions and his interpretive arrangements of select works by other composers. Mr. Burnett is the 1995 5-Star Award of Merit Winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs for his original composition and arrangement for big band titled, Daedalus.
A modern thinker and early explorer of the digital music landscape, Burnett garnered more than a half million music downloads and sold CDs to fans in 38 countries via MP3.com (1999-2003) before most musicians had figured out that there were other ways than major record label contracts and brick-and-mortar retail stores to reach listeners. Since his return to Kansas City in 2001, Burnett has had the opportunity to perform along side or work with many eminent musicians. He was one of the very first artists featured by the newly renovated and historic Hilton President where he performed on the first Saturday of each month in the famous Drum Room within the Kansas City Power and Light District for over two years (2006-2008). With several new projects to be released, he already has a successful commercial album (Time Flies) distributed worldwide on the Artists Recording Collective label brand.
Artist outreach and community service as a professional musician have been important elements from the start of Mr. Burnett's professional music career. This attitude is based upon his own experiences of having the benefit of learning from great music educators, as well as, having the benefit of numerous professional performing artists as mentors throughout the various stages of his active career. In addition to his professional performance activities, Mr. Burnett remains involved in the development of student musicians as an IAJE artist/clinician (remaining an active member since 1985 until the organization ceased operation in 2008); through his own private teaching practice; and the conduct of affordable music clinics at local schools in the Kansas City area.
As a publisher and businessman, Mr. Burnett also gained valuable experience while serving as a staff writer/arranger and company manager for many noteworthy military band assignments. He would later volunteer his time and services for free from 2002-2007 and arrange music for Fandeen Publishing Company, Inc., while also serving as a participating Board Member for the non-profit firm, Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc. Mr. Burnett was later invited to become a part of the artsONE Artists Council. The Artists Council of artsONE is comprised of well known and respected local Kansas City Jazz and Blues artists. In December 2007, Chris Burnett, along with New York-based artists, Erica Lindsay and Sumi Tonooka, co-founded Artists Recording Collective - an American label brand that serves as a dynamic and multi-dimensional platform to present the works and services of a select roster of artists. Subsequently, Artists Recording Collective formally launched its first commercial CD recording release in early 2008 to critical acclaim and National Radio success. Most recently, he was personally invited by Mr. Leon A. Brady to become involved with the Kansas City Youth Jazz, Inc.
Today, Mr. Burnett operates BurnettMusic.com (his official artist website domain name and sole proprietorship business entity), while primarily focusing his efforts on continued success in the areas of performing, writing, producing and teaching music while also contributing to other vital areas of the industry. Also see: www.BurnettMusic.com
Mr. Burnett’s Professional Memberships include: American Federation of Musicians (Kansas City Local 34-627), The Recording Academy (GRAMMY®), and the US Army Career and Alumni Program (ACAP).
Video : Chris Burnett Alto Saxophone and Composer
DESCRIPTION AND CREDITS:
Various video clip features of Chris Burnett performing with his groups and other musicians. Video by Terri Burnett.
DESCRIPTION AND CREDITS:
Video features Chris Burnett at The Drum Room in the historic Hilton President Kansas City performing with his jazz ensemble. Chris Burnett - alto sax, Will Matthews - guitar, Roger Wilder - piano, James Ward - dbl bass, Michael Shanks - drums. "Corcovado" by Antonio Carlos Jobim. Video by Kansas Shutterbug on 06-02-2007.
NETWORKING: The Corcovado video and some of the gallery pictures include scenes of Chris Burnett performing at The Drum Room in Kansas City. These were taken by our new friends at Kansas Shutterbug who found out about Chris Burnett's music via MySpace and then came out to the performance ...
Endorsement : Chris Burnett Lomax Classic Mouthpiece Artist
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Thanks for visiting and listening to the music today - also, please check out the wonderful artists and cool people who are featured in the "Friends Space and Comments" below! Peace, Cb
A native of the Kansas City Area, award-winning composer and saxophone artist, Chris Burnett began his prolific professional start at the age of 18 years old while performing, touring and recording with Army bands from 1974-1996. He subsequently completed a 22-year career with noteworthy professional military music organizations that provided vast legitimate educational opportunities, covering several specific areas of musical study; while simultaneously providing him the essential incomparable real world performing and touring experiences necessary for an artist to mature and develop a unique musical voice.
