Review of “Jon Burr Band; Live at Birdland” in AllAboutJazz.com:
Burr ... went beyond a Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett or Stan Getz because he was the songwriter and lyricist as well as a performer. Burr simply dared to take that extra step of creating and presenting original, unfamiliar material. These artists really had respect for the music... Throughout, it was clear this was not an ego trip but a group of musicians performing with a common goal of creating the best music with the highest standards of musical performance. Finally, someone had the courage to try something new within the traditions of jazz and popular music." -Greg Waters/AllAboutJazz.com
Review of “In My Own Words” in Jazz Times:
This is a terrific recording, a first class quartet under the leadership of a fine bassist, Jon Burr. Bassists have a way of surprising people when they come out of the rhythm section role and reveal a talent for composition, arrangement, and the balance and direction of an ensemble. There is a feel here not unlike that of vintage Steps Ahead: certainly Rich Perry's tone on tenor recalls Michael Brecker, and the leader's supple sense of time in ensemble playing matches up well with that of Eddie Gomez. Burr's solos bring out a voice very much his own, however, a voice we hear more of in the even dozen engagingly melodic compositions that he has contributed to the session. Bill Charlap on piano and Terry Clarke on drums round out the band - and the result is as well-rounded as one might ask. -Bill Bennett/Jazz Times
And, in Bassics magazine:
An impressive debut recording featuring NYC bassist Jon Burr as leader. Working with pianist Bill Charlap, saxophonist Rich Perry, and drummer Terry Clarke, Burr explores the heart of mainstream jazz. But this talented group is not working over standards; twelve of the thirteen compositions are Burr originals. Gorgeous is the word for them. From the contrapuntal "Blear" to the evocative, Horace-inspired "Silver Water," Burr's melodic gift is omnipresent and roams from the sweet to moody. "Lament" and "Snowfall" are particularly staggering compositions.
Burr's is the kind of work that makes you think jazz isn't being made in the obvious places, by the "young lions." Even though he's a well-known bassist on the New York scene, Burr seems to have escaped notice by the major U.S. jazz labels. The reason why escapes me.
- Philip Dawdy, Bassics Magazine,Vol VI, #2
In the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
“It is the latter efforts – “Nobody Said it was Easy” and “Three for Al” – that best summarize this happy-fingered program. The melodies are hummable, the tempos are toe-tappers…”
In the New York Post, in a review of a Roland Hanna concert:
"..a terrific Burr original, `Rainbow Over Harlem'...
Chip Deffaa, New York Post
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
"Bassist Jon Burr's "For All" sets a soaring violin melody above a jaunty
stepwise bass to create a mood of ultimate cool.." - Wayne Lee Gay, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram
South Bend Tribune
“Hot Swing's bassist Jon Burr contributed a beautiful tune called "Lament" to the program” - Jack Walton, South Bend Tribune
Performance reviews:
"Newcomer Jon Burr...is a technical master, for whom `In a Sentimental Mood' and `Blue Monk' were perfect frameworks." - Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times
"Burr erected solid foundations and filled his accompaniment with clever embellishments as well. His unaccompanied `Makin' Whoopee' was a playground of swings and slides and received one of the evening's biggest ovations." - Bill Kohlhaase, Los Angeles Times
"Could hardly have asked for better...Burr was always where he needed to be, his bass lines filled with big, fat bottom notes, his solos bringing the perspective of a high-technique, contemporary improvisational style to a straight-ahead jazz setting.” - Don Heckman, Los Angeles Times
"...backed by...Jon Burr on bass, the music radiated effortless joy and ease." - Peter Watrous, New York Times
"Burr...proved the bass a solo instrument of energy and grace in the right hands." - John Farrell, Pasadena Journal-News
"...gifted is New Yorker Burr, [a] young-looking bassist with [a] sense of subtlety and clever good taste...music that is elegant, fluid, and filled with the joy of life." - Ron Banks, The West Australian
"...bassist Burr, who had a couple of splendid solos..." - Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times
"..Burr, in typically alert form, adds to the momentum and texture with his exceptionally nimble accompaniment..." - Mike Joyce, Washington Post
“ No less gifted is New Yorker Burr, an absurdly young-looking bassist with the same sense of subtlety and clever good taste. Their partnership produces music that is elegant and filled with the joy of life” – Ron Banks, The West Australian