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A Detroit native, born July 31, 1931, Burrell left his hometown during the mid-'50s. He had worked locally through the early '50s and recorded there with Dizzy Gillespie, as well as touring with Oscar Peterson before making the move East. After reaching the East Coast, he worked with Benny Goodman, then began on his own band with various like-minded players, including organist Jimmy Smith. He's played as a sideman on hundreds of albums, including dates by John Coltrane, Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Donald Byrd and Sonny Rollins.
Burrell never achieved the popularity of George Benson or Wes Montgomery. His best Blue Note efforts include Blue Lights and Midnight Blue, while his Kenny Burrell With John Coltrane on Prestige is also recommended, along with his Verve collaboration with arranger Evans, Guitar Forms. Burrell started teaching in the early '70s, and today he works at UCLA.
