BURNETT PUBLISHING
Christopher L. Burnett (BMI)
Christopher Burnett is a critically acclaimed alto saxophonist, educator, arts industry business leader, and composer who began his professional career with military jazz bands “going pro” directly upon graduating high school at 18 years old. Over the course of his career, Mr. Burnett has performed professionally around the world, recorded noteworthy albums as a leader, taught at the college-level and co-founded a significant independent recording label, Artists Recording Collective.
Born in Olathe, Kansas, the middle son of Clifford LeRoy Burnett and Violet Lorraine Jackson Burnett, his family traveled frequently during his youth due to his father being a member of the active US Air Force. He was ultimately raised in his maternal hometown of Paola, Kansas where the family had moved once his father’s military career concluded in 1963.
His mother was a significant influence on his choosing music as a professional career. And, it was his eldest brother, Richie Pratt, who mentored and encouraged him in the music business as a professional.
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Subsequently, Mr. Burnett began his professional tenure by completing a full 22-year career performing and touring with notable military bands prior to embarking upon his current activities within the music scene at large.
Mr. Burnett has released three albums as a leader. His latest, ‘Firebird’, is being released first as singles on the ARC label. Additional credits include performances, and a new recording with the Dino Massa Kansas City Quintet titled, “Echoes of Europe.” He is an in-demand woodwind instructor and jazz clinician, serving as festival adjudicator and conductor for honors ensembles on many occasions.
Mr. Burnett was the keynote speaker for the 2016 Martin Luther King Day Celebration at Fort Leavenworth and the 2017 Black History Month celebration of the Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center’s CPAC. The Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship at Drury University invited Mr. Burnett to be its first speaker in their ‘Self-Employment in the Arts’ series for 2016.
He held adjunct professor of music positions with University of Missouri Science and Technology (10 years) and at Metropolitan Community Colleges (5 years). Mr. Burnett directed the marketing and communications department, concurrent with other key positions while working 5 years at the American Jazz Museum. He is the 1995 5-Star Award of Merit Winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs as a Composer. The Missouri Arts Council appointed Mr. Burnett to serve on the Advisory Panel for Multidiscipline for one term – ending June 30, 2016.
In addition to performing, composing and teaching privately, Mr. Burnett is currently a teaching assistant for Leavenworth Unified School District 453 working with Dr. Jared Prost in the instrumental music department teaching woodwinds and jazz band.
Latest Release
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Quotes
- “It’s an exceptionally graceful album that imbues mainstream jazz with the elegant sheen of classical chamber music.”
~ Bill Brownlee (The Kansas City Star, Ink Magazine), KCUR
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- “…rich water colors of sound. Like listening to Monet.”
~ George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly
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- “This is top quality jazz …highly recommended for both traditional and modern jazz fans.”
~ Jon Neudorf, Sea of Tranquility
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- “…Easy going jazz that isn’t easy listening, straight ahead ears will dig the proceedings. Well done throughout.”
~ Chris Spector, Midwest Record
