Charles Burrell, the ‘Jackie Robinson of Classical Music,’ Dies at 104
Another legend has left us with the passing of bassist Charles Burrell, who died this week at the age of 104. His long and storied career was marked by a blend of jazz and classical music, but he is most notable as the first African American to secure a full-time contract with a major American Symphony Orchestra. He joined the Denver Symphony (now the Colorado Symphony) in 1949. The organization shared a touching tribute to Burrell on Facebook.
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Charles Burrell, a towering figure in American music, a Colorado icon, and longtime bassist with the Colorado Symphony/Denver Symphony Orchestra,” they wrote. “Dubbed the ‘Jackie Robinson of Classical Music,’ he broke barriers in 1949 as the first African American to sign a full-time contract with a major American symphony orchestra, opening doors that had long been closed. His courage, artistry, and trailblazing spirit forever changed the face of classical music. Charlie’s legacy echoes through every note we play and will forever resonate in Denver and beyond.”
After a decade with the Denver Symphony, Burrell joined the San Francisco Symphony under conductor Pierre Montreux. He performed with them for five years before heading back to Colorado, where he would play with the symphony until his retirement in 1999. On the jazz side of his life, he became a central figure in the Five Points jazz scene in Denver, where he shared the stage with legends like Fats Waller, Erroll Garner, Charlie Parker, Duke Ellington, and more.
Burrell was the recipient of numerous awards throughout his life. He is the focus of a documentary called The Longest Walk, which is currently streaming on PBS.
No Treble contributor Paul Thompson also put together a great video on Burrell’s life and accomplishments.
Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Charles Burrell.
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
