[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 209 (Thursday, December 21, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHARLES BURRELL

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, December 21, 2017

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the contributions of an 
extraordinary Denverite, Charles Burrell, who on November 28th was 
inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.
   I've known Charlie my whole life. His distinguished career included 
playing in the Al Rose Trio founded by my uncle, Al Rose, together with 
Lee Arrelano. It was the first racially integrated jazz group in 
Colorado, and in the 1950s and '60s, they played at some of Denver's 
best-known destinations for music. When my uncle died unexpectedly at a 
relatively early age, Charlie volunteered to be my ``honorary uncle,'' 
a role he has embraced.
   Born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1920 and raised in Detroit, Charles Burrell 
studied music at Cass-Technical High School, then one of the most 
prestigious music schools in the nation. Although a dedicated student 
of classical music, Charlie and his friends embraced jazz and practiced 
it whenever possible. At seventeen, he was even asked to join the 
Lionel Hampton Big Band, affording him the opportunity to travel the 
country with some of the jazz greats of the time.
   Charlie attended the New England Conservatory of Music and then 
joined the Navy, where he was selected to join the first-ever all-Black 
Navy band, which was used in recruiting to help encourage African-
American enlistment. After an honorable discharge, he attended Wayne 
State University with an eye toward teaching music in the public 
schools, and eventually made his way to Denver to do just that in 1949.
   A chance meeting with John VanBuskirk, the lead bass player with the 
Denver Symphony Orchestra, led to an audition, and Charlie became the 
first person of color in the nation to be hired by a major orchestra.
   Charlie is equally comfortable in an orchestra or a jazz band. He 
was known to finish a performance at the DSO and then wrap up his 
evening playing jazz at the Rossonian Hotel in the Five Points 
neighborhood.
   In 1959, Charlie became the first person of color to join the San 
Francisco Symphony, fulfilling a childhood dream. He played under 
conductor Pierre Monteux until 1965.
   Always a generous man, Charlie has been an inspiration and mentor to 
many, including his niece, the two-time Grammy award-winning vocalist 
Dianne Reeves, and his cousin the renowned pianist George Duke.
   At ninety-seven, Charlie has proved that age is just a number, 
frequently playing live bass on KUVO, Denver's preeminent jazz station.
   Charles Burrell has been called the Jackie Robinson of classical 
music for his ability, class, and poise, helping forge change in 
American institutions that weren't always inclined to widen their 
circles.
   It is my honor today to add to the accolades of this accomplished 
trailblazer.

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