DON BURROWS

 

Legendary musician Don Burrows (AO, MBE) has been at the forefront of the jazz world for most of his 61 years in the business.  He’s a household name in Australia, renowned for his musicianship and his enthusiastic support for the jazz arts.  He’s also highly respected internationally, where he’s toured numerous times to great acclaim annually since 1960.

This superb multi-instrumentalist plays flute, clarinet and all the saxophones, from alto to baritone.  He’s a composer and arranger of great note, and one of the world’s finest interpreters of the jazz tradition.  A Don Burrows concert is a journey from classic swing and the gentle sway of Brazilian bossa nova to exciting modern jazz.   

 

Did you know that this Living National Treasure (named in 1988 and ‘98) was the ?rst Australian jazz artist to win a gold record, the ?rst to play Europe’s famed Montreux and the USA’s Newport festivals, the ?rst to play in China, the ?rst awarded a Creative Arts Fellowship, the ?rst inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame, the ?rst Director of a Jazz Studies course…  He’s also found time to host his own television show, The Burrows Collection, for six years on ABC TV, has released close to forty albums, and regularly tours here and abroad, including South and North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia.  And just look at this who’s who of great recording and concert partners - Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Mel Torme, Stephane Grappelli, Tony Bennett, James Morrison, George Golla, Cleo Laine, Frank Sinatra, Kate Ceberano, Kevin Hunt, The Sydney Symphony Orchestra and hundreds more.

 

Now in his 75th year, Don Burrows has not even begun to even think about slowing down.  He continues to tour Australia and the world regularly.  In the last few years Don Burrows appearances have included China, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, Cuba, New Zealand and all the major jazz festivals of Australia.  His passion for jazz has seen him embark on several countrywide educational tours in recent years, taking his music and experience to schools in isolated corners of Australia, from Broome to Tasmania.

 

His 1995 Creative Arts Fellowship, under the auspices of which he tours schools, follows two earlier honours - an Order of Australia and an MBE - in recognition of his generous and unstinting work in promoting jazz.

 

Each year the University of Sydney awards Honorary Degrees to people who have achieved great distinction in their field. On the 25^th of May 2000, Don Burrows was awarded the degree of “Doctor of Music” [Honoris causa]

 

On the 2^nd of April 2001, Don Burrows was awarded for the second time the degree of “Doctor of Music” [Honoris causa] from the Edith Cowan University in Perth, western Australia.

In October 2001, Don Burrows returned to Mexico and South America to perform with musicians from Brazil, Venezuela and Argentina. Recently he headlined the first International jazz Festival in Nepal.

 

Throughout a long, varied and successful career Don Burrows has played just about every kind of venue, in front of just about every kind of audience.  From nightclubs and festival stages to television studios and outback classrooms.  His musicianship and his ability to communicate his passion for ?ne music have become legendary.  He remains one of Australia’s pre-eminent artists, veritably a Living National Treasure. 

 

“Don is without doubt the best jazz musician/educator I have seen in action. 

Don’s enthusiasm is remarkable.  His communicative ability is outstanding.  As a multi instrumentalist he was able to assist all of our students on their principal instrument.  He has the most experience of any person in this type of activity, which is why he is highly sought after by schools and other educational institutions. 

 

The publicity generated by the visit from Don Burrows was sensational.  The music department was able to use this to good effect in promotion of our courses.  Students and staff were inspired by the genius of the man.

 

Most of all the effect of having Don Burrows at Wangaratta Campus was motivational to all who came in contact with him.  He is a very genuine man and has a keen sense of community involvement.”

 

“Don has a wonderful ability given to only a few people.  He is the most knowledgeable musician, it has been our privilege to work with and he treats everyone including students and staff as an equal.  Students adore him within 5 minutes of starting a workshop for his friendliness, his genuine interest in them as people and what they learn from him.  He never ever makes them feel less than adequate.”

 

“ Everyone was impressed with Don’s warmth and eagerness to listen, praise and encourage. His musicianship was greatly appreciated and the students were awestruck by his ability to play, as well as his abounding energy and obvious love of his music. It certainly rubbed off on the students. The teachers reported back to me that it was the best inspiration they have had for years”              

 

“Don Burrows is the consummate teacher, combing great skill at imparting his knowledge while coaxing, encouraging and guiding students of all ages as they improve their skills. Ever patient, kindly and quick to praise, Don is a master at making kids feel at ease”

 

“Certain individuals posses the unique ability to share their passion for music with people of all ages.  Mr Don Burrows is one such person.

I arranged a program for the students from both primary and secondary school to come and workshop with this legendary musician.  The success of this program far exceeded my wildest expectations.

 

With his immense talent, experience and capacity to communicate with young people, Mr Burrows not only developed the skills of the students, he nurtured their love of the arts by recounting stories of his life spent making music.

 

Don performed with the students, indeed a once in a lifetime opportunity for them, in concert for the general public.  All performances were the cultural high point of the year, and the trickle down effect caused a buzz of excitement throughout the town.  Many community members needed to dry their eyes after the grand finale.

 

The young musicians of Bowen provide the greatest proof of Mr Burrows impact.  Their proficiency in music has improved enormously and their passion for music has been heightened by Don.

 

“The visit from Don Burrows and Kevin Hunt has been invaluable in promoting music in the schools and the wider community. It has inspired many, to pursue a musical career or to improve their skills on their chosen instrument. It is an event that has left a lasting impression in the memory of all the participants”

Craig Bentley Music Teacher Stuart High School

 

“Don is flexible, quickly picks up the level of teaching required for each ensemble and more importantly, can teach and workshop any level of player. Don is always professional in dealing with other staff, principals of schools, parents and is a master in front of the media. The cumulative experiences of the man are fantastic. One of the impressive things to me about Don is his easy style and honesty in sharing what he has learned over the years to young people”

 

“The impact, enthusiasm, and inspiration that Don has made on the students is amazing. Both students and parents are eager that Don returns for many years to come”

 

“Usually following Don’s visits our staff meetings concern themselves with a unique way Don will deal with a situation or some aspect of our training that Don’s amazing insight has brought out”

A/Professor Pat Crichton     Head Jazz Department Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

 

“For some age is a barrier, but Don reaches so directly to the hearts and minds of our students that every time I see him working with our students I find myself admiring his rapport again.  In our time working with Don we have moved from a school providing a good basic music education into providing something better.”

 

“As a music educator, Don Burrows is a marvel to observe, with his energy and positive attitude and an approachability that the students adored.  Don's fantastic communication skills, motivation and energy, has inspired the music teachers in our region.”

 

“His workshops with our bands have provided the inspiration our young musicians needed so greatly.  His enthusiasm and rapport with primary school children is such that he could be described as a “natural teacher”.

 

“What makes Don the complete educator is his wealth of knowledge and experience, his outstanding musicianship, and professional approach, but just as importantly his affability and genuine warmth towards the students and ability to pitch the workshop to a level that the students can relate to.

I have found working with Don an uplifting and rewarding experience for both myself and the students alike.

 

“Thank you for an enjoyable three days.  I think you are a great musician and have changed my attitude towards jazz.  I’ve never really enjoyed listening to jazz music but I found your playing wonderful and full of fun.”

 

“Don’s love of young people, coupled with his skills as a teacher, allowed him to be an excellent active teacher in addition to teaching the boys by example.  In short, it was a tremendous learning and musical experience for the Grammar boys.”

 

“Thank you very much for giving us this wonderful experience.  Everything that you taught us will stay in our minds forever.  Keep up the great job.”

 

“To have Don working within any group of musicians is a huge benefit to all.  Don has a wonderful positive impact on students he worked with.  Students who worked closely with Don provided feedback on the positive outcomes when working with the “Master”.

 

“Don’s teaching skills are excellent, as is his rapport with the students.  He was able to make such a difference to their playing styles and attitude to music in general.

 

“Don’s caring attitude and genuine interest with each band member who sought his advice has inspired the students to achieve the high levels Don believes they are capable of.”

 

“Don delivered his enthusiasm to the young musicians and passed on his skills of improvisation.  Many of the students had experienced improvising before but never from such a successful Jazz performer.

I value the involvement of Mr Don Burrows and hope that all schools at some point can be touched by Don’s love and commitment to Australian music.”