Don Burrows

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Don Burrows
Birth nameDonald Vernon Burrows
Born(1928-08-08)8 August 1928
Marrickville, New South Wales, Australia
Died12 March 2020(2020-03-12) (aged 91)
Terrey Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Clarinet, saxophone, flute
Years active1942–2005

Donald Vernon Burrows AO MBE (8 August 1928 – 12 March 2020[1]) was an Australian jazz and swing musician who played clarinet, saxophone and flute.

Life and career[edit]

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.[2][3]

By 1942, aged 14, Burrows had begun playing clarinet and quit school.[4] 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.[5] In 1972, he was invited to perform at the Montreux Jazz Festival[6] and later the Newport Jazz Festival.

The year 1973 was a watershed one for Burrows as he received the first gold record for an Australian jazz musician for his record Just the Beginning,[7] 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).[8] 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 2005, Burrows toured with a small band that included the Australian jazz pianist Kevin Hunt.[9] 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".[10] In later years he had Alzheimer's disease and lived in a nursing home in northern Sydney.[11] He died on 12 March 2020, aged 91.[1][12]

Awards and honours[edit]

APRA Awards[edit]

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2004[14] Don Burrows Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music inducted

ARIA Awards[edit]

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.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1988 Nice 'n' Easy (with Adelaide Connection) Best Jazz Album Nominated [15]
1991 Don Burrows ARIA Hall of Fame inducted
2006 Non Stop Flight - Great Music of the Swing Era (with The Mell-O-Tones & Phillip Sametz) Best Jazz Album Nominated [15]
2016 In Good Company (with James Morrison) Best Jazz Album Nominated [15]

Australian Jazz Bell Awards[edit]

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

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2008[16] Don Burrows Australian Jazz Bell Hall of Fame inducted

Bernard Heinze Memorial Award[edit]

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

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1999 Don Burrows Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award awarded [17]

Mo Awards[edit]

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.[18]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only)
1992 Don Burrows John Campbell Fellowship Award Won

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

List of albums, with Australian chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart
positions
AUS
[19]
On Camera
(as Don Burrows Plus Six)
  • Released: 1963
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO-7692)
A Tribute to Freddy Gardner
  • Released: 1966
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO-7777)
The Jazz Sound of the Don Burrows Quartet
(as Don Burrows Plus Six)
  • Released: 1966
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO 7781)
2000 Weeks
  • Released: 1969
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Columbia (SCXO 7883)
  • NB: Soundtrack to the film 2000 Weeks
Just the Beginning
(as The Don Burrows Quartet)
  • Released: 1971
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS-1009)
-
Live! at Montreaux
(as The Don Burrows Quartet)
  • Released: 1972
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS-1010)
-
At The Sydney Opera House
(as The Don Burrows Quartet)
  • Released: 1974
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS 1017)
-
Duo
(with George Golla and Luis Bonfa)
  • Released: 1975
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPS 1021)
98
The New Don Burrows Quintet
(as The New Don Burrows Quintet)
  • Released: 1975
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1023)
-
The Tasman Connection
  • Released: 1976
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1026)
-
St James
(with Galapagos Duck)
  • Released: 1976
  • Format: LP
  • Label: 44 Records (6357704)
-
Steph 'n' Us
(with George Golla and Stephane Grappelli)
  • Released: 1977
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1032)
38
Don Burrows and the Brazilian Connection
(with The Brazilian Connection)
  • Released: 1978
  • Format: 2xLP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1035)
92
Cool Yule
  • Released: 1978
  • Format: LP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1037)
-
Back in Town
(with Don Andrews, Andy Brown and Alan Turnbull)
  • Released: 1979
  • Format: LP
  • Label: 44 Records (6357722)
-
Other Places Other Times
(with George Golla Duo)
  • Released: 1980
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1043)
38
Don Burrows with Neil Thurgate Orchestra
(with Neil Thurgate Orchestra)
  • Released: 1980
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (ABC LPX 0005)
-
Bonfa Burrows Brazil
(with Luiz Bonfá and George Golla)
  • Released: 1980
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1045)
-
Other Places Other Times
(with Luiz Bonfá and George Golla)
  • Released: 1981
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (L 37654)
-
This Time Tassie
(with George Golla Duo)
  • Released: 1981
  • Format: 2xLP
  • Label: Cherry Pie (L 70201)
-
Sara Dane
  • Released: 1982
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: Cherry Pie (LD 37856)
  • NB: Music Inspired By the Series Sara Dane
86
Fluteman
(John Sangster with Don Borrows)
  • Released: 1982
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: Rain-Forest (RFLP-006)
  • NB: Soundtrack to the film Fluteman
-
A Retrospective
(as Burrows' Jazz Brothers)
  • Released: 1982
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: ABC (ABCL 8207)
-
Burrows at the Winery
  • Released: 1984
  • Format: LP Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38161)
-
Makin' Whoopee!
(with The Adelaide Connection)
  • Released: September 1985[20]
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38321)
-
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)
-
Flute Salad
(with Chris Hinze)
  • Released: 1986
  • Format: LP, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38418)
-
Nice 'n' Easy
(as The Don Burrows Quintet with The Adelaide Connection)
  • Released: 1987
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: ABC (L 38754)
-
With Orchestra
(as The Don Burrows Quintet)
  • Released: 1990
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: WEA (903172626-2)
-
Quintet
(as The Don Burrows Quintet)
  • Released: 1990
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: WEA (903172627-2)
-
Duets
(as The Don Burrows Quintet)
  • Released: 1990
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: WEA (903172628-1)
-
Together at Last
(with Julie Anthony)
  • Released: 1994
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: Castle Communications (CTVCD 1001)
-
In Flight
(Marilane with Don Burrows)
  • Released: 1999
  • Format: CD, Cassette
  • Label: MDM (MDM 01 CD)
-
Bob Barnard's Jazz Party 2004
(Bob Barnard)
  • Released: 2005
  • Format: CD
  • Label: Nif Nuf Jazz Recordings (43/021)
-
Eye to Eye Vol 1+2
(Kevin Hunt)
  • Released: June 2007[21]
  • Format: 2×CD
-
In Good Company
(with James Morrison)
  • Released: 2015
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC Jazz
-

Compilations[edit]

Title Album details
The Babinda Trilogy
  • Released: 1990
  • Format: 3xLP
  • Label: WEA (903172628-1)
  • Features Quintet & With Orchestra & Duets
The First 50 Years: Volume One (1944 - 1965)
  • Released: 1992
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514296-2)
The First 50 Years: Volume Two (1967 - 1976)
  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514297-2)
The First 50 Years: Volume Three (1977 - 1979)
  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514298-2)
The First 50 Years: Volume Four (1980 - 1984)
  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514299-2)
The First 50 Years: Volume Five (1985 - 1992)
  • Released: 1993
  • Format: CD
  • Label: ABC, Polygram (514300-2)
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[edit]

  1. ^ a b Brandle, Lars (1 April 2020). "Don Burrows, Australia Jazz Legend, Dies at 91". Billboard. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  2. ^ Haesler, Bill. "Jazz in Australia". Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  3. ^ Ford, Andrew (9 August 2008). "DON BURROWS AT 80 YEARS OF AGE - The Music Show on ABC Radio National" (PDF). Eric Myers Jazz. Retrieved 30 November 2023.
  4. ^ "GOOD TIMES Fifty of Don Burrows' best". Canberra Times. 7 January 1993. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  5. ^ Shand, John (17 October 2012). "Bassist's style was music to the ears". Retrieved 14 January 2015.
  6. ^ "Montreux Sounds official website". Archived from the original on 24 May 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2008.
  7. ^ "'Just the Beginning' on australianscreen online". Retrieved 3 March 2011.
  8. ^ It's an Honour – Member of the Order of the British Empire
  9. ^ Award-winning jazz performer Kevin Hunt Archived 15 March 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ "Don Burrows transcript". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) The Music Show. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.
  11. ^ Cheshire, Ben (31 July 2016). "Don Burrows: Jazz legend who mentored James Morrison plays on, despite dementia". ABC News. Australian Boroadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2018.
  12. ^ Rasmussen, Henry (13 March 2020). "Remembering Don Burrows (1928–2020)". Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). Retrieved 1 April 2020.
  13. ^ It's an Honour – Officer of the Order of Australia
  14. ^ "2004 Winners – APRA Music Awards". Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA). Archived from the original on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  15. ^ a b c ARIA Award previous winners. "ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album". Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  16. ^ Jackson, Andra (3 May 2007). "For jazz Hall of Fame, it's plain and simple: is Don, is good". The Age. Melbourne.
  17. ^ Woodworks Gallery
  18. ^ "MO Award Winners". Mo Awards. Retrieved 16 March 2022.
  19. ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 50. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
  20. ^ Foster, Michael (23 September 1985), "Extra enjoyable", Canberra Times
  21. ^ Sharpe, John (15 June 2007), "JAZZ. Eye to Eye The Don Burrows and Kevin Hunt Duo", The Canberra Times

External links[edit]