Kenny Burrell Handcrafted

Kenny Burrell's guitaristry is well-documented in his years with Oscar Peterson and on his first dates as a leader on the Blue Note label, but God Bless the Child, his only date for CTI in 1971, is an under-heard masterpiece in his catalog. Burrell's band for the set includes bassist Ron Carter, percussionist Ray Barretto, Richard Wyands on piano, flutist Hubert Laws, trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, and drummer Billy Cobham. CTI's house arranger, Don Sebesky, assembled and conducted the strings in a manner that stands strangely and beautifully apart from his other work on the label. Sebesky understood Burrell's understated approach to playing guitar. Burrell didn't belong with the fusioneers, but he could groove better than any of them…

Recorded live at Catalina's in Hollywood in November 2012, these pleasant reworkings are special requests by fans of the legendary jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell. Consider this release as the second part of the 2010 live date Be Yourself: Live at Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola, also on High Note. Alongside Burrell on these performances is an awesome set of musicians who provide a delicate balance between their post-bop technical excellence and improvisational skills…

Kenny Burrell - For Charlie Christian and Benny Goodman (1986) {Verve 831 087-2 rec 1966-67}
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© 1966-67, 1986 Verve / PolyGram | 831 087-2
Jazz / Bop / Guitar

Kenny Burrell's tribute to Charlie Christian and Benny Goodman covers 11 of the songs they recorded together, but doesn't make the mistake of trying to sound anything like their historic recordings during their short time performing together. The guitarist is joined by a first-rate group, including Phil Woods on alto sax and clarinet, bassist Ron Carter, drummer Grady Tate, and vibraphonist Mike Mainieri. Burrell is the only soloist on a soft bossa nova treatment of "As Long as I Live" and the lightly swinging "I Surrender Dear."

Guitarist Kenny Burrell has a strong all-around showcase on this release from Contemporary. Assisted by pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Lewis Nash and percussionist Ray Mantilla, Burrell swings harder than he usually does when paying tribute to the past, coming up with fresh statements on the varied material.

Kenny Burrell - Sunup To Sundown (1991) {Contemporary CCD-14065-2}
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© 1991 Contemporary / Fantasy | CCD-14065-2
Jazz / Post Bop / Contemporary Jazz / Guitar

Guitarist Kenny Burrell has a strong all-around showcase on this release from Contemporary. Assisted by pianist Cedar Walton, bassist Rufus Reid, drummer Lewis Nash and percussionist Ray Mantilla, Burrell swings harder than he usually does when paying tribute to the past, coming up with fresh statements on the varied material. Although there are a few standards in the program (such as "I'm Old Fashioned," "Autumn Leaves" and "Speak Low"), there are also such obscurities as "Out There" (a medium-uptempo blues), "Sunup to Sundown" and "Love Dance." This set serves as an excellent introduction to Kenny Burrell's enjoyable brand of straightahead playing.