Charlie Burrell, a revered figure in the classical music community, has died at the age of 104. Known for his groundbreaking career and contributions to music, Burrell’s journey began in Detroit, where his love for the mountains fostered a desire to relocate to Colorado, specifically to Denver, his mother’s birthplace. Among his aspirations was to perform with the San Francisco Symphony, a goal he achieved with distinction.
Dubbed “the Jackie Robinson of music,” Burrell made history as the first Black musician in the Denver Symphony Orchestra in 1949, cementing his legacy as a trailblazer. He remained a prominent figure in the Denver music scene, notably as the last surviving musician from the iconic Rossonian Hotel, a venue that helped establish Five Points as the “Harlem of the West” during a time of segregation.
Burrell’s career spanned ten years with the Denver Symphony before he joined the San Francisco Symphony, becoming its first Black member. His influence extended to education; he served as one of the first professors of color at the respected San Francisco Conservatory of Music. However, a significant earthquake led him back to Denver after five years.
Throughout his time with the Denver Symphony, Burrell showcased his talent alongside jazz legends such as Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald. Despite his success, he often juggled multiple jobs to support his family, which included working as a plumber and auto worker. In an interview with CPR News, Burrell fondly recalled a summer job where he spent three months restoring seats at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheater.
“That was my job. To resurrect those seats,” Burrell recounted, emphasizing the amphitheater’s unmatched acoustics, which he described as “the best in the world. You can’t believe it. Mother Nature did it.”
As an educator, Burrell became a vital mentor for young musicians, including the well-known bassist Ray Brown, and nurtured the talent of his niece, Dianne Reeves, a celebrated Grammy-winning vocalist. He continued to play music even after retiring from the Denver Symphony at age 79, performing with the Charlie Burrell Trio and family.
Burrell received numerous honors throughout his lifetime, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2015 and an induction into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame in 2017. To celebrate his 99th birthday in 2019, the Colorado Symphony performed Tchaikovsky’s 4th Symphony, a piece that significantly inspired his classical music career.
“Charles dedicated his life to his music and inspired the world with his bass. As one of the first African Americans to win an audition with a major symphony orchestra, he opened the doors for musicians of color everywhere,” his family stated on Tuesday. “While we are heartbroken at his loss, we are also thankful for his long and inspiring life.”
Burrell first picked up the bass and tuba at the young age of 12. In a 2024 interview, he humorously reflected on how he needed to stand on two Coca-Cola boxes just to reach the top of his bass. Despite facing racial discrimination throughout his career, Burrell preferred not to dwell on these experiences, choosing instead to focus on his progression in the music world.
After completing junior high, he attended Cass-Technical High School in Detroit, one of the country’s top music schools, where he faced challenges in his early training. “I didn’t get angry, it was just another one of those things that you get over and learn from and move on,” he noted while discussing his unconventional learning journey.
While mastering classical music, he also engaged in jazz, performing with a trio that included Billie Holiday in 1939 at Detroit’s Three Sixes lounge. Burrell was also a World War II veteran, serving in the U.S. Navy, where he joined the first all-Black Navy band and had the opportunity to play with notable musicians. After his discharge, Burrell faced difficulties securing auditions, attending four before finally landing in Denver in 1949.
His life changed forever when he met John VanBuskirk, the principal bass player at the Denver Symphony, on a bus. VanBuskirk facilitated an audition for Burrell, allowing him to pursue his passion for music and create a lasting legacy.