Gary Burton

Biography

Gary Burton, born January 23, 1943, in Anderson, Indiana, is an American jazz vibraphonist, composer, and educator celebrated for revolutionizing the vibraphone’s role in jazz. Largely self-taught, Burton began playing the vibraphone as a child and quickly developed a unique four-mallet technique that allowed for a fuller, more pianistic sound, setting a new standard for the instrument. By age 17, he made his recording debut in Nashville with guitarists Hank Garland and Chet Atkins, and soon after, while attending Berklee College of Music, he joined the groups of George Shearing and Stan Getz, gaining early recognition for his prodigious talent.[1][2][3][5][6]

In the late 1960s, Burton formed his own quartet, pioneering the jazz fusion movement by blending jazz improvisation with rock rhythms and sonorities. Albums like 'Duster' and 'Lofty Fake Anagram' were groundbreaking, and his bands featured such future luminaries as Larry Coryell and Pat Metheny. Burton’s long and fruitful collaboration with pianist Chick Corea, beginning in 1972, helped popularize the jazz duet format and earned them multiple Grammy Awards. As an educator, Burton spent decades at Berklee College of Music, influencing generations of musicians and furthering jazz education.[1][2][3][4][5]

Burton’s legacy is defined by his technical innovation, genre-crossing collaborations, and commitment to teaching. He has received numerous accolades, including seven Grammy Awards and DownBeat’s Jazzman of the Year. Openly gay since 1994, Burton is also recognized for his advocacy and visibility within the jazz community. He retired from performing in 2017, leaving behind a profound impact on both jazz performance and pedagogy.[1][2][3][4][5]

Fun Facts

• Gary Burton is credited with inventing the 'Burton grip,' a four-mallet technique now widely used by jazz vibraphonists and marimbists.[5]
• He was one of the first prominent jazz musicians to come out as gay, doing so publicly in 1994.[1][5]
• Burton hosted a weekly jazz radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio from 2004 to 2008.[5]
• His autobiography, 'Learning to Listen,' was voted Jazz Book of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association in 2013.[5]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Marian McPartland - Recommended Burton for George Shearing’s group, providing a key early career opportunity. (N/A) [Early 1960s]
• George Shearing - Burton joined Shearing’s group, gaining professional touring and recording experience. (Touring and recordings with Shearing’s group) [Early 1960s]
• Stan Getz - Burton was a member of Getz’s quartet, further developing his artistry and reputation. (Touring and recordings with Getz’s quartet) [1964–1966]

Key Collaborators

• Chick Corea - Longtime duo partner; together they popularized the jazz duet format. (Eight duo albums, including 'Crystal Silence', 'Duet', 'In Concert', 'Hot House') [1972–2017]
• Pat Metheny - Guitarist in Burton’s quartet; Metheny’s first major professional experience. (Burton Quartet albums (ECM era), live performances) [Mid-1970s]
• Larry Coryell - Original guitarist in the Gary Burton Quartet, helping define jazz fusion. ('Duster', 'Lofty Fake Anagram') [1967–late 1960s]
• Steve Swallow - Frequent bassist and duo partner. (Numerous quartet and duo recordings) [1960s–2010s]
• Astor Piazzolla - Collaborated on tango-jazz fusion projects. ('The New Tango' (1997)) [1997]

Artists Influenced

• Pat Metheny - Metheny credits Burton as a mentor and for launching his career. (Metheny’s early recordings and style) [1970s–present]
• Julian Lage - Featured in the New Gary Burton Quartet; benefited from Burton’s mentorship. ('Common Ground', 'Guided Tour') [2011–2013]
• Evelyn Glennie - Adopted Burton’s four-mallet grip technique for concert percussion. (Glennie’s solo percussion work) [1980s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Senor Mouse (Crystal Silence)
2. Blue in Green (Paris Encounter)
3. Question And Answer
4. Reunion (Reunion)
5. I'm Your Pal (Crystal Silence)
6. Crystal Silence (Crystal Silence)
7. Falling Grace (Crystal Silence)
8. Children's Song: No. 6 (Duet)
9. Elucidation
10. What Game Shall We Play Today (Crystal Silence)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #avant-garde-jazz, #contemporary-jazz, #jazz