Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

January 23, 1943 in Anderson, IN

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Gary Burton is a renowned American jazz vibraphonist, composer, and educator. He was born on January 23, 1943, in Anderson, Indiana, and grew up in a musical family. His father was an amateur pianist, and his mother played the marimba. Burton started playing the piano at the age of six, but he switched to the vibraphone when he was 16 years old after hearing a recording of Lionel Hampton. Burton's talent on the vibraphone was quickly recognized, and he was offered a scholarship to attend the Berklee College of Music in Boston. He moved to Boston in 1960 and studied with vibraphonist and composer, Herb Pomeroy. Burton's early influences included jazz legends such as Hampton, Milt Jackson, and Red Norvo. Burton's career took off in the early 1960s when he joined George Shearing's quintet. He recorded several albums with Shearing, including "The Swingin's Mutual!" and "The Shearing Spell." In 1964, Burton formed his own quartet, which included guitarist Larry Coryell, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Roy Haynes. The quartet's debut album, "New Vibe Man in Town," was released in 1961 and received critical acclaim. Burton's innovative approach to the vibraphone, which included the use of four mallets instead of the traditional two, helped to establish him as one of the most influential jazz vibraphonists of his generation. He also incorporated elements of rock, folk, and classical music into his compositions, which helped to broaden the appeal of jazz to a wider audience. In 1967, Burton recorded the album "Duster" with guitarist Jerry Hahn, bassist Steve Swallow, and drummer Roy Haynes. The album featured a fusion of jazz and rock elements and is considered to be one of the first jazz-rock albums. Burton continued to explore the fusion of jazz and rock throughout his career, recording albums with musicians such as guitarist Pat Metheny and keyboardist Chick Corea. Burton has recorded over 70 albums as a bandleader and has collaborated with some of the most influential musicians in jazz history, including Stan Getz, Chick Corea, and Pat Metheny. He has won seven Grammy Awards and has been nominated for a total of 22. In 2013, he was awarded the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, which is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a jazz musician in the United States. In addition to his career as a performer, Burton has also been a dedicated educator. He joined the faculty of the Berklee College of Music in 1971 and served as the college's executive vice president from 1996 to 2004. He has also taught at the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of North Texas. Burton retired from performing in 2017 after a career that spanned over six decades. He continues to be an influential figure in the world of jazz and has inspired countless musicians with his innovative approach to the vibraphone and his dedication to the art form.

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