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Christopher Burnett: The Standards, Vol. 1

By Kyle Simpler
April 3, 2021
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Christopher Burnett: The Standards, Vol. 1

Modern jazz can certainly take a variety of different forms, but standards still remain the foundation for many players. With The Standards Vol. 1,

Christopher Burnett

saxophone, alto
b.1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Christopher Burnett brings modern and traditional elements together in an excellent meeting. His approach is to bring a traditional approach to each song, whether it's a well-loved favorite or an original composition.

Burnett is a Kansas City native with an impressive professional background. After serving 22 years in the Army, where he was able to advance both his musical and administrative skills, he cofounded the Artists Recording Collective (ARC) label. He has also had an active role in the operation and management of Kansas City's American Jazz Museum, along with establishing the nonprofit Burnett Music Foundation as well as the publication, Jazz Artistry Now.

For The Standards Vol. 1, Burnett has assembled a diverse group of musicians. The album features his core ensemble, The Christopher Burnett Quintet, with Burnett on alto saxophone, pianist

Roger Wilder

piano

" data-original-title="" title="">Roger Wilder,

Bill McKemy

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Bill McKemy on bass,

Clarence Smith

drums
b.1970

" data-original-title="" title="">Clarence Smith on drums, and guitarist

Charles Gatschet

guitar

" data-original-title="" title="">Charles Gatschet. Also include are Stanton Kessler on flugelhorn, Terri Anderson Burnett and Freda Proctor on flute, Samantha Batchelor clarinet and Aryana Nemati on baritone saxophone. Burnett describes his collection of musicians: "I purposely wanted to have both male and female musicians, as well as representatives from all adult generations, lending their voices to the music and arrangements."

The ensemble works together well, and the overall sound has something of a contemporary-retro quality to it. In other words, the music sounds fresh and modern with hints of classic recordings from the 1950s and 1960s mixed in. While Burnett's presence is unmistakable, the recording also has a sound reminiscent of classic recordings by producers and arrangers such as

Gil Evans

composer / conductor
1912 - 1988

" data-original-title="" title="">Gil Evans or

Creed Taylor

producer
1929 - 2022

" data-original-title="" title="">Creed Taylor.

Each of the selections included has a special significance for Burnett. The opening track,

Herbie Hancock

piano
b.1940

" data-original-title="" title="">Herbie Hancock's "Dolphin Dance," for example, was a song he first heard during his high school years. The liner notes discuss how the song's complexity, beauty, and freedom reflects certain aspects of the African-American experience during the 1960s. "On one hand society was saying black people were inferior, but at the same time, Herbie was afforded this wide artistic freedom that was so optimistic."

Other selections such as the classic standards "Corcovado" and "All The Things You Are" also have personal connections for Burnett. Along with these are less common selections such as "Boplicity" from

Miles Davis

trumpet
1926 - 1991

" data-original-title="" title="">Miles Davis' Birth of the Cool (Capitol Records,1957) and

Chick Corea

piano
1941 - 2021

" data-original-title="" title="">Chick Corea's "Windows." All of these songs serve as something of a musical scrapbook bringing his musical history together with fresh, new arrangements.

Burnett also acknowledges musicians who influenced his own style. He recognizes alto players such as

Cannonball Adderley

saxophone
1928 - 1975

" data-original-title="" title="">Cannonball Adderley,

Sonny Stitt

saxophone
1924 - 1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Stitt,

Lee Konitz

saxophone, alto
1927 - 2020

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Konitz, and

Charlie Parker

saxophone, alto
1920 - 1955

" data-original-title="" title="">Charlie Parker as having an impact on his playing. He describes how he spent hours transcribing solos by each of these players while he was studying at the Armed Forces School of Music.

The album closes with the Burnett original, "Freedom Flight," which is a tribute to his son, Seth, who is a pilot in the US Air Force. This rhythm and uplifting melody give this selection a quality much like traditional jazz standards. As Burnett explains, "I enjoy when something I compose connects with people. Like the standards do."

With The Standards Vol. 1, Burnett shows how songs continue to evolve and allow players to express their own unique style. The level of musicianship is exceptional here, and Burnett definitely gives each song a refreshing vitality.

Learn more about our star rating system

Track Listing

Dolphin Dance; Corcovado; Boplicity; Windows;. All The Things You Are; Freedom Flight.

Personnel

Christopher Burnett

saxophone, alto

Charles Gatschet

guitar

Clarence Smith

drums

Terri Anderson Burnett

flute

Roger Wilder

piano

Bill McKemy Kansas City

bass, acoustic

Stanton Kessler

flugelhorn

Freda Proctor

flute

Aryana Nemati

saxophone, baritone

Samantha Batchelor

clarinet

Album information

Title: The Standards, Vol. 1 | Year Released: 2021 | Record Label: ARC - Artists Recording Collective

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