Reviews of Jon Burr’s Playing
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 "...bassist Burr, who had a couple of splendid solos..."—Leonard Feather, Los Angeles Times "..Burr, in ...Read More
Jon Burr Quintet News | CD release Events

Review on axs.com:
“Now we’re talking. Hard bop jazz fans need look no further than this new record, Very Good Year, by the Jon Burr Quintet, coming out on Oct. 10, 2015. Led by a monster bass player, the Quintet is comprised of fearless movers and shakers, New York musicians to the core: Pianist Mike Eckroth, drummer Jerome Jennings, tenor Steven Frieder, and trumpeter Tim Ouimette.
… Together with his Quintet, Burr’s latest invention gives a much-needed punch to the dying art form of hard bop, a style many jazz musicians fear to tread. Burr eats hard bop for lunch, purposely selecting popular covers, standard bearers, and cooking up a hard bop lover’s dream in the selection of 12 songs meant to put on blast full volume.” - By Carol Banks Weber ...
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Sounds like Bill Evans!

04/06/13
Kenny Drew Jr./Jon Burr/ Marty Morell Coral Sea Random Act Records
By David WhiteisRead More
Review of “The Untold Secret to Melodic Bass” in Bass World Magazine
Review in Bass World Magazine, the publication of The International Society of Bassists.
[This review appeared in the August issue, Vol 35, #1, pp 54-55] The Untold Secret to Melodic Bass - Jon Burr jbQ Media $14.99 32 pagesJon Burr is a noted first call bassist in the New York area, having performed with such jazz greats as Horace Silver, Stan Getz, Tony Bennett, and Chet Baker. This brief but highly informative book is one of a written series concerning melodic bass lines and improvisation. This is not a book for beginners. Knowledge of jazz harmony and chord changes is necessary. Knowing that, through this book Jon will give you many great ideas on how to “learn how to think like a composer of bass lines, how to plan ahead, and make choices that are appropriate to the style of the song.”
As with many authors of education books, ...
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Review in the Valdosta Daily Times
JUST CAN’T WAIT
Jon Burr Band
Bass player Jon Burr is a stand-up guy. The bass player has worked with luminaries such as Buddy Rich, Tony Bennett, and Chet Baker. In creating this CD and accompanying live DVD, Burr couldn’t wait to work with all-star contemporaries such as Anat Cohen, Joel Frahm, Houston Person, Howard Alden, Bob MIntzer, and Ted Rosenthal. He works with his daughter, Tyler Burr, who co-wrote a few of the lyrics for this CD’s songs. “Just Can’t Wait,” however, is all driven by Jon Burr’s vision and passion as a lyricist, composer and arranger. And let’s not forget as a performer. From the studio-produced CD to the live DVD at New York City’s’ Birdland, this is one album well worth the wait.
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Interview on jazzreview.com
Jon Burr Bandleader And Diplomat Artist Interview by: Susan Frances Bassist, composer, producer, arranger, and bandleader Jon Burr has learned to not only be an astute musician, but also to be an astute diplomat when it comes to dealing with other musicians, and bringing out the best from them. His latest release is a CD/DVD set entitled Just Can’t Wait that features live footage of him on the upright bass, performing with his band for a special show at the Birdland in New York City. Accompanying Burr on the recording are vocalists Hilary Kole, Laurel Massé, Ty Stephens, Yaala Ballin and Jon's daughter Tyler Burr, in addition to saxophonists Houston Person, Bob Mintzer, Anat Cohen, and Joel Frahm; trumpeter Dominic Farinacci; pianists Ted Rosenthal, Jon Davis and Loston Harris; and guitarists John Hart, Yotam Silberstein, and Howard Alden. Jazziz Magazine touted the release as, "This is a terrific recording." ... |
Nice review by George Harris in Jazz Weekly
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Review in Jazz Improv (NY)!
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Great Review in Bass Musician Magazine…
Bass CD Reviews
Jon Burr | "Just Can't Wait", 4/01/2009
Meet Reviewer Damian Erskine Connect with Damian in the Community Jon Burr "Just Can't Wait" www.jonburr.com This CD/Live DVD set is as elegant as they come. Jon Burr's music and playing just oozes class. Having played with Tony Bennett for 5 years, Buddy Rich, Stephane Grappeli, Eartha Kitt, Rita Moreno and a host of others it's no surprise that Jon is such a tasteful player. All original compositions are featured here and the phrase that comes to mind is new-standards. If Jon had been born 30 or 40 years earlier, there is little doubt in my mind that we would all be playing some of these tunes at jam sessions or as another flavor during the set. In my mind, Jon really embodies an era that seems to be slipping away and I found it really refreshing to find ...Read More
AllAboutJazz.com review

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