Login
Login

Don Burrows

{{Short description|Australian jazz musician (1928–2020)}}

{{About||the English professor and Handel scholar|Donald Burrows (musicologist)|the American football player|Don Burroughs}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Don Burrows

| image =

| birth_name = Donald Vernon Burrows

| birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1928|08|08}}

| birth_place = Marrickville, Sydney, Australia

| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2020|3|12|1928|08|08}}

| death_place = Terrey Hills, Sydney

| genre = Jazz

| occupation = Musician

| instrument = Clarinet, saxophone, flute

| years_active = 1942–2005

| label =

| associated_acts =

}}

Donald Vernon Burrows {{post-nominals|country=AUS|size=100|AO|MBE}} (8 August 1928 – 12 March 2020{{cite magazine |last1=Brandle |first1= Lars |title=Don Burrows, Australia Jazz Legend, Dies at 91 |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9334246/don-burrows-australia-jazz-legend-obit |access-date=13 March 2020 |magazine= Billboard |date=1 April 2020}}) was an Australian jazz and swing musician who played clarinet, saxophone and flute.

Life and career

Donald Vernon Burrows was born on 8 August 1928, the only child of Vernon and Beryl and attended Bondi Public School. In 1937 a visiting flutist and teacher (Victor McMahon) inspired him to start learning the flute. He began on a B-flat flute which he later played at Carnegie Hall and the Newport Jazz Festival. By 1940 he was captain of the Metropolitan Schools Flute Band and began entering talent quests.{{cite web|last1=Haesler|first1=Bill|title=Jazz in Australia|url=http://jazzinaustralia.org.au/the-traditionalists/|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010430/http://jazzinaustralia.org.au/the-traditionalists/|archive-date=8 January 2015}}{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Andrew |date=9 August 2008 |title=DON BURROWS AT 80 YEARS OF AGE – The Music Show on ABC Radio National |url=https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58bf64e6c534a5e3ac61401d/t/59c61e86017db213540eb6f6/1506156176590/FordAndrewDonBurrowsAt80.pdf |access-date=30 November 2023 |website=Eric Myers Jazz}}

By 1942, aged 14, Burrows had begun playing clarinet and quit school.{{Cite news |date=7 January 1993 |title=GOOD TIMES Fifty of Don Burrows' best |work=Canberra Times |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126967613 |access-date=2023-01-09}} He began appearing at Sydney jazz clubs, and appeared on The Youth Show, a Macquarie Radio show. In 1944 he was invited to play and record with George Trevare's Australians. He became well known in Sydney jazz circles and was performing in dance halls, nightclubs and radio bands.

During the 1960s and 1970s Burrows had many engagements in Australia and the United States, including six years performing at the Wentworth Hotel in Sydney.{{cite web |last1=Shand |first1=John |title=Bassist's style was music to the ears|date=17 October 2012 |url=http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/bassists-style-was-music-to-the-ears-20121017-27rga.html|access-date=14 January 2015}} In 1972, he was invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival{{cite web|url=http://www.montreuxsounds.com/detail2006.php?fiche%3D174 |title=Montreux Sounds official website |access-date=16 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524075041/http://www.montreuxsounds.com/detail2006.php?fiche=174 |archive-date=24 May 2006 }} and later the Newport Jazz Festival.

The year 1973 was a watershed for Burrows as he received the first gold record for an Australian jazz musician for his record Just the Beginning,{{Cite web|url=http://aso.gov.au/titles/music/just-the-beginning/|title='Just the Beginning' on australianscreen online|access-date=3 March 2011}} instigated the first jazz studies program in the southern hemisphere, at the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music (under the direction of Rex Hobcroft) and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).[https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1087976 It's an Honour] – Member of the Order of the British Empire In 1979 he was appointed Chair of Jazz Studies at the conservatorium.

Burrows performed to mostly classical music audiences through tours with Musica Viva and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation concert series. He led the nationally televised show The Don Burrows Collection for six years. He had an extensive recording career with his groups and performed on albums by others.

In the 1980s Burrows mentored and was closely associated with James Morrison. He formed the Don Burrows Quartet with George Golla (guitar), Ed Gaston (double bass) and Alan Turnbull (drums). He also worked with Frank Sinatra, Dizzy Gillespie, Nat King Cole, Oscar Peterson, Tony Bennett, Stéphane Grappelli, Cleo Laine, and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

In 1981 Burrows played woodwind on a Play School album, Hey Diddle Diddle: it was his only involvement with the show.Hey Diddle Diddle: Songs from Kindergarten / Songs from Play School, ABC Records, 1981.

In 2005 Burrows toured with a small band that included the Australian jazz pianist Kevin Hunt.[http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevsy/biography.htm Award-winning jazz performer Kevin Hunt] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315193526/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevsy/biography.htm |date=15 March 2007 }} He used his photographic images with his music in a show called Stop, Look and Listen.

Burrows had arthritis from age 38. In a 2008 interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Andrew Ford, celebrating his 80th birthday, he said that "arthritis is not the greatest for playing a musical instrument. But playing a musical instrument is very, very good for arthritis".{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/rn/musicshow/stories/2008/2314802.htm |title=Don Burrows transcript |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) The Music Show|date=9 August 2008|access-date=17 September 2008 }} In later years he had Alzheimer's disease and lived in a nursing home in northern Sydney.{{cite news |last1=Cheshire |first1=Ben |title=Don Burrows: Jazz legend who mentored James Morrison plays on, despite dementia |newspaper=ABC News |date=31 July 2016 |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-01/music-plays-on-for-jazz-legend-don-burrows/7670598 |publisher=Australian Boroadcasting Corporation |access-date=14 July 2018}} He died on 12 March 2020, aged 91.{{cite news |last= Rasmussen |first= Henry |date= 13 March 2020 |title= Remembering Don Burrows (1928–2020) |url= https://www.abc.net.au/jazz/features/specials/don-burrows-obituary/12053490 |work= Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) |access-date= 1 April 2020}}

Awards and honours

=APRA Awards=

The APRA Awards are held in Australia and New Zealand by the Australasian Performing Right Association to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2004{{cite web|url=http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2004Winners.aspx |title=2004 Winners – APRA Music Awards |publisher=Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) |access-date=2 September 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110308004015/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2004Winners.aspx |archive-date=8 March 2011 }}

| Don Burrows

| Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music

| {{yes2|inducted}}

|}

= ARIA Awards=

The ARIA Music Awards is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of Australian music. It commenced in 1987.

{{awards table}}

! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

| 1988

| Nice 'n' Easy (with Adelaide Connection)

| Best Jazz Album

| {{nom}}

|ARIA Award previous winners. {{cite web|url=https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-jazz-album?view=list#|title=ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album|publisher=Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA)|access-date=25 June 2022}}

|-

| 1991

| Don Burrows

| ARIA Hall of Fame

| {{yes2|inducted}}

|

|-

| 2006

| Non Stop Flight – Great Music of the Swing Era (with The Mell-O-Tones & Phillip Sametz)

| Best Jazz Album

| {{nom}}

|

|-

| 2016

| In Good Company (with James Morrison)

| Best Jazz Album

| {{nom}}

|

|-

|}

= Australian Jazz Bell Awards=

The Australian Jazz Bell Awards recognised the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally

{{awards table}}

|-

| 2008{{cite news| url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/for-jazz-hall-of-fame-its-plain-and-simple-is-don-is-good/2007/05/02/1177788225262.html | location=Melbourne | work=The Age | first=Andra | last=Jackson | title=For jazz Hall of Fame, it's plain and simple: is Don, is good | date=3 May 2007}}

| Don Burrows

| Australian Jazz Bell Hall of Fame

| {{yes2|inducted}}

|}

=Bernard Heinze Memorial Award=

The Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to music in Australia.

{{awards table}}

! {{Abbr|Ref.|Reference}}

|-

| 1999 || Don Burrows || Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award || {{yes2|awarded}} ||{{Cite web |url=http://bwoodworks.com.au/node/126 |title=Woodworks Gallery |access-date=17 August 2022 |archive-date=25 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325194620/http://www.bwoodworks.com.au/node/126 |url-status=dead }}

|-

{{end}}

=Mo Awards=

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the Mo Awards), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Don Burrows won one award in that time.{{cite web|url=https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|title=MO Award Winners|website=Mo Awards|access-date=16 March 2022|archive-date=7 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307064432/https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners|url-status=dead}}

{{awards table}} (wins only)

|-

| 1992

| Don Burrows

| John Campbell Fellowship Award

| {{won}}

|-

{{end}}

Discography

=Albums=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

|+ List of albums, with Australian chart positions

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Title

! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:20em;" | Album details

! scope="col" colspan="1" style="width:10em;" | Peak chart
positions

scope="col" style="text-align:center;" | AUS
{{cite book|last=Kent|first=David|author-link=David Kent (historian)|title=Australian Chart Book 1970–1992|edition=illustrated|publisher=Australian Chart Book|location=St Ives, N.S.W.|year=1993|isbn=0-646-11917-6|page=50}}
scope="row" | On Camera
(as Don Burrows Plus Six)

|

  • Released: 1963
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO-7692)

| align="center" {{n/a}}

scope="row" | A Tribute to Freddy Gardner

|

  • Released: 1966
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO-7777)

| align="center" {{n/a}}

scope="row" | The Jazz Sound of the Don Burrows Quartet
(as Don Burrows Plus Six)

|

  • Released: 1966
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO 7781)

| align="center" {{n/a}}

scope="row" | 2000 Weeks

|

  • Released: 1969
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO 7883)
  • NB: Soundtrack to the film 2000 Weeks

| align="center" {{n/a}}

scope="row" | Just the Beginning
(as The Don Burrows Quartet)

|

  • Released: 1971
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS-1009)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Live! at Montreaux
(as The Don Burrows Quartet)

|

  • Released: 1972
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS-1010)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | At The Sydney Opera House
(as The Don Burrows Quartet)

|

  • Released: 1974
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS 1017)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Duo
(with George Golla and Luis Bonfa)

|

  • Released: 1975
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS 1021)

| align="center"| 98

scope="row" | The New Don Burrows Quintet
(as The New Don Burrows Quintet)

|

  • Released: 1975
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1023)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | The Tasman Connection

|

  • Released: 1976
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1026)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | St James
(with Galapagos Duck)

|

  • Released: 1976
  • Format: LP
  • Label: 44 Records (6357704)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Steph 'n' Us
(with George Golla and Stephane Grappelli)

|

  • Released: 1977
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1032)

| align="center"| 38

scope="row" | Don Burrows and the Brazilian Connection
(with The Brazilian Connection)

|

  • Released: 1978
  • Format: 2xLP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1035)

| align="center"| 92

scope="row" | Cool Yule

|

  • Released: 1978
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1037)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Back in Town
(with Don Andrews, Andy Brown and Alan Turnbull)

|

  • Released: 1979
  • Format: LP
  • Label: 44 Records (6357722)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Other Places Other Times
(with George Golla Duo)

|

  • Released: 1980
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1043)

| align="center"| 38

scope="row" | Don Burrows with Neil Thurgate Orchestra
(with Neil Thurgate Orchestra)

|

  • Released: 1980
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (ABC LPX 0005)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Bonfa Burrows Brazil
(with Luiz Bonfá and George Golla)

|

  • Released: 1980
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1045)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Other Places Other Times
(with Luiz Bonfá and George Golla)

|

  • Released: 1981
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (L 37654)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | This Time Tassie
(with George Golla Duo)

|

  • Released: 1981
  • Format: 2xLP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (L 70201)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Sara Dane

|

  • Released: 1982
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (LD 37856)
  • NB: Music Inspired By the Series Sara Dane

| align="center"| 86

scope="row" | Fluteman
(John Sangster with Don Borrows)

|

  • Released: 1982
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: Rain-Forest (RFLP-006)
  • NB: Soundtrack to the film Fluteman

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | A Retrospective
(as Burrows' Jazz Brothers)

|

  • Released: 1982
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: ABC (ABCL 8207)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Burrows at the Winery

|

  • Released: 1984
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38161)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Makin' Whoopee!
(with The Adelaide Connection)

|

  • Released: September 1985{{Citation | last = Foster | first = Michael | date = 23 September 1985 | title = Extra enjoyable | periodical = Canberra Times | url = https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128257088?searchTerm=%22Adelaide%20Connection%22%20jazz&searchLimits=}}
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38321)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Jazz at The Opera House
(as The Don Burrows Quintet with The Australian Vocal Ensemble & The Chris Hinze Combination)

|

  • Released: 1985
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38402)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Flute Salad
(with Chris Hinze)

|

  • Released: 1986
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38418)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Nice 'n' Easy
(as The Don Burrows Quintet with The Adelaide Connection)

|

  • Released: 1987
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38754)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | With Orchestra
(as The Don Burrows Quintet)

|

  • Released: 1990
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: WEA (903172626-2)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Quintet
(as The Don Burrows Quintet)

|

  • Released: 1990
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: WEA (903172627-2)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Duets
(as The Don Burrows Quintet)

|

  • Released: 1990
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: WEA (903172628-1)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Together at Last
(with Julie Anthony)

|

  • Released: 1994
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: Castle Communications (CTVCD 1001)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | In Flight
(Marilane with Don Burrows)

|

  • Released: 1999
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: MDM (MDM 01 CD)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Bob Barnard's Jazz Party 2004
(Bob Barnard)

|

  • Released: 2005
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Nif Nuf Jazz Recordings (43/021)

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | Eye to Eye Vol 1+2
(Kevin Hunt)

|

  • Released: June 2007{{Citation | last = Sharpe | first = John | date = 15 June 2007 | title = JAZZ. Eye to Eye The Don Burrows and Kevin Hunt Duo | periodical = The Canberra Times }}
  • Format: 2×CD

| align="center"| –

scope="row" | In Good Company
(with James Morrison)

|

  • Released: 2015
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC Jazz

| align="center"| –

=Compilations=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"

! Title

! Album details

scope="row" | The Babinda Trilogy

|

  • Released: 1990
  • Format: 3xLP
  • Label: WEA (903172628-1)
  • Features Quintet & With Orchestra & Duets
scope="row" | The First 50 Years: Volume One (1944–1965)

|

  • Released: 1992
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514296-2)
scope="row" | The First 50 Years: Volume Two (1967–1976)

|

  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514297-2)
scope="row" | The First 50 Years: Volume Three (1977–1979)

|

  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514298-2)
scope="row" | The First 50 Years: Volume Four (1980–1984)

|

  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514299-2)
scope="row" | The First 50 Years: Volume Five (1985–1992)

|

  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514300-2)
scope="row" | Non-Stop Flight: Great Music of the Swing Era
(with The Mell-O-Tones)

|

  • Released: 2005
  • Format: 2XCD
  • Label: ABC Jazz (ABC 982 9885)

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://aso.gov.au/titles/music/just-the-beginning/ Just the Beginning samples]
  • {{cite web|title=Australian jazz – mainstream |url=http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-jazz-mainstream |website=australia.gov.au |access-date=3 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103215903/http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-jazz-mainstream |archive-date=3 January 2015 }}
  • {{cite web|title=Artists Profiles |url=http://www.jazzandbeyond.com.au/artists.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104004348/http://www.jazzandbeyond.com.au/artists.html |archive-date=2015-01-04 |website=Jazz and Beyond |access-date=3 January 2015}}

{{Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burrows, Don}}

Category:1928 births

Category:2020 deaths

Category:Musicians from Sydney

Category:21st-century clarinetists

Category:21st-century Australian saxophonists

Category:APRA Award winners

Category:ARIA Award winners

Category:ARIA Hall of Fame inductees

Category:Australian jazz clarinetists

Category:Australian jazz flautists

Category:Australian jazz saxophonists

Category:Australian Members of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Australian male jazz composers

Category:Australian male saxophonists

Category:Officers of the Order of Australia

Category:People with Alzheimer's disease

Category:21st-century Australian male musicians

Category:20th-century Australian saxophonists

Category:20th-century Australian flautists

Category:21st-century flautists