CHRIS BURNETT 5 GENERATIONS QUARTET
with special guest, Amy Hearting (marimba)

MARCH 19, 2011 – LIVE AT THE HOLLYWOOD THEATER (Performing Arts Center)

AUGUST 15, 2011 – 5 GENERATIONS CD RELEASE (ARC-2277 – AUDIO CD)

Just a quick note as follow up and conclusion to the VirtualJazzCD.com project that I launched in late 2008 in hopes of raising funds toward releasing my upcoming CD. The project was titled: CHRIS BURNETT LIMITED EDITION CD PROJECT. I have refunded each of your contributions. Why the refund? The total of amounts received from all contributors was not enough to fund any one of the project areas as intended. I thought about using your money toward promotion of the recording, but decided to refund your money because that is not what I told you your contribution would be used for. The project is going forward with Terri and I funding all aspects of each recording production. Although, the primary funding was not achieved through this first attempt at “fan funding”, I am encouraged and honored by those who did participate nonetheless. The old blog about the project can be found here. ~ Cb [6/1/11]

Currently Leader of the following ensembles:

Chris Burnett 5 Generations Quartet

• Chris Burnett, alto saxophone and flute
• Roger Wilder, piano
• Gerald Spaits, bass
• Brian Steever, drums
• with special guest, Amy Hearting, marimba

Chris Burnett Quartet/Quintet (CbQ)

 
• Chris Burnett, alto saxophone
• Roger Wilder, piano
• TJ Martley, piano
• Jeff Harshbarger, bass
• Seth Lee, bass
• Clarence Smith, drums
• Brandon Draper, drums
• Will Matthews, guitar (special guest member)

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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

o Active Military Service Bands

REHEARSING WITH THE HOF SYMPHONY - GERMANY 1979

Prior to establishing his current professional performing and recording artist activities, Mr. Burnett completed a 22-year active-duty career performing professionally and touring with various noteworthy US military bands organizations. And thus, he has already participated in thousands of live performances. As an example, in addition to jazz concerts, the NATO Band performed weekly Honors Ceremonies for numerous high ranking political dignitaries such as various heads of state, official government diplomats and top military leaders including General Colin Powell, as well as participating in special functions like performing the preliminary music for the arrival of Pope John Paul II at the port of Pozzuoli, Italy (a city of the province of Naples, in the Italian region of Campania) in November 1990.

• AUDIO SAMPLE: “Essayons” CD Track 12. The Heart of the Matter (Mintzer)

“Heart of the Matter” personnel: US Army Engineer Center Jazz Ensemble (1995) – Chris Burnett, lead alto and director; Scott Heron, alto, Curt Risk, jazz tenor; Jay Loken, tenor; Scott Luther, baritone; Jay Parks, lead trombone, Chris Schrantz, trombone; Chad Avery, trombone; Jeff Sodt, bass trombone; Eric Filbeck, lead trumpet; Paul Baumgardt, lead trumpet; Franco Harris, trumpet, Bryan Ralls, trumpet; Renard Ellis, trumpet; Dave Dorris, piano; Kevin Shank, guitar; Dan Rhoads, bass; Tim Kruse, drums, and Ron Sadler, percussion. Bob Mintzer composition and arrangement. Engineer: Chris Schrantz.

His honorable services resulted in the receipt of numerous award decorations, for both musical and military excellence, and include: the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two individual awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and many others. Notable highlights of his military music career include: a Staff and Faculty assignment at the Armed Forces School of Music; Leading Chief Petty Officer of the NATO Band at Naples, Italy where he served as NATO Ceremonial Band Conductor, Jazz Ensemble Director, and featured soloist during performance tours which also included several television broadcasts; accepted for assignment to the West Point Military Academy Band’s Jazz Knights as a jazz alto saxophonist; accepted for assignment to the Armed Forces School of Music as a Jazz Ensemble Rehearsal Conductor; being featured at the age of 23 years old, as jazz alto saxophone soloist with the Hof Symphony Orchestra (Germany) during two recorded Hauptkoncert (Main Concert) performances of the Rolf Liebermann 12-tone serial work, Concerto for Jazz Band and Symphony Orchestra (comp. 1954); along with jazz performances with his quartet outside of the military jobs. He was also selected to participate in a special “Staffing for Army Bands” video teleconference that resulted in the development and implementation of management systems that continue to positively and significantly impact the modern operational functionality of Army bands.

o Kansas City Jazz Scene

KANSAS CITY STAR - FEATURE ARTICLE 2007

• AUDIO SAMPLE: Kansas Public Radio – Jazz Scene Show

Chris Burnett, alto saxophone; Roger Wilder, piano; Craig Akin, acoustic bass; and David Basse, drums. Title: Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas. Composer: Ralph Blane. Arranger: Chris Burnett (2004). Engineer: Jason Slote.

Chris Burnett Quartet was formed upon his return home to live in the Kansas City area in 2001. Thus, he began another new phase of his career as a performer. The Chris Burnett Quartet debuted with a performance on the main stage of the Roots Festival at Paola, Kansas in 2002. In 2003, he was contacted to open at the Adam’s Mark in Kansas City for Maynard Ferguson by the late jazz trumpet legend’s management. As a result of that successful performance, an official of the Elms Resort and Spa who was in the audience, contracted CbQ to appear as the featured group at their 4th Annual Jazz and Wine Festival in Excelsior Springs, Missouri in 2004.

• AUDIO SAMPLE: Invitation – By Bronislau Kapers

Chris Burnett, alto saxophone; Dr. Michael Pagán, piano; James Ward, acoustic bass; and Michael Shanks, drumset. Chris Burnett Quartet arrangement; composed by Bronislau Kaper. Engineer: Will Thornton.

CHRIS BURNETT | DRUM ROOM FEATURED ARTIST

Some of the other recent performances included performing and successfully hosting the “Blue Monday Jam” at Kansas City’s famous Blue Room jazz club in 2004 – thus validating the viability of his artistry within the historic “18th and Vine Jazz District” scene too. Mr. Burnett also participated in a special broadcast performance and recording for “The Jazz Scene – Holiday Show” radio program for Kansas Public Radio. Although 2005 was primarily a year of sideman performances and administrative music business work for Mr. Burnett, these opportunities were sincerely appreciated. He engaged each opportunity with equal enthusiasm, artistry and professionalism; while performing at events such as the very first Rhythm & Ribs 18th and Vine Jazz Festival, the 10th annual Parkville Jazz and Arts Festival, among other events that year. Ultimately, his contributions have been tangible in many areas of the music industry since being welcomed back home to the Kansas City area as an artist by the arts community, music journalists and professional artist colleagues alike.

• AUDIO SAMPLE: Nefertiti – By Wayne Shorter

JAZZ AMBASSADOR MAGAZINE - COVER STORY

Chris Burnett, alto saxophone; Dr. Michael Pagán, piano; James Ward, acoustic bass; and Michael Shanks, drumset. Chris Burnett Quartet arrangement; composed by Wayne Shorter. Engineer: Will Thornton.

In 2006 he also began engaging opportunities that include performing and touring – traveling to perform at both, Albuquerque, New Mexico and Austin, Texas that summer. Chris Burnett Quartet began getting regular performance opportunities at the newly renovated historic Hilton President Kansas City in The Drum Room on May 26, 2006. He was one of the very first artists featured by the newly renovated and historic Hilton President where he performed on the first Saturday of each month in the famous Drum Room within the Kansas City Power and Light District for over two years (2006-2008). This regular performing opportunity introduced him to the jazz community and was very important because it simply gave Burnett’s music the chance to be heard by global visitors staying at the Hilton President Kansas City, Kansas City Jazz Community audiences, along with members of Kansas City Area Press/Media.

ITINERARY AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITY

o Current Activities

Today, Chris Burnett has established a credible reputation among professionals and within his peer group as one of the finest jazz saxophonists of his generation. He is also objectively considered among Kansas City’s most respected jazz artists.  Now having established and proven his ability over the course of the last decade to develop an audience at venues in Kansas City when given the opportunity, his concerts and recordings are centered around presenting mostly original music.

Black House Improvisors' Collective | Residency Session #3 Concert

• AUDIO SAMPLE: Cyclical Connotations By Chris Burnett, 2009 (BMI work#11188629)

Black House Improvisors’ Collective – 2nd session: Matt Otto- tenor and soprano sax (soloist); Chris Burnett- alto sax, clarinet, flute (composition and orchestration); Patrick Ketter- oboe, english horn, tenor sax, bass clarinet; Russell Thorpe-bass clarinet, alto sax, soprano sax; Peter Lawless- alto sax; Hunter Long- tenor sax, laptop; Derek Worthington-trumpet; Nick Howell-trumpet; Blake Rayfield- horn in F; Zach Beeson- bass; and, Matt Leifer- drums. [first reading of work]

Another goal, at this point in his career, remains to continue to realize select performances at select world-wide venues during his annual periods of travel outside of the Kansas City area and region.

Mr. Burnett’s current performing ensemble and composition projects are focused toward presenting his music at venues where the settings are suited to the emphasis being placed upon the performances. He is also available to perform at select private events. And, as a member in good-standing of the American Federation of Musicians (Kansas City Local 34-627), he is available for union scale work.

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Kansas City Era 2001 to present

with Chris Burnett Quartet

• Live at the Hollywood Theater (concert series)
• First City Festival
• Paola Roots Festival
• Elms Resort Jazz Festival
• Maynard Ferguson (opening act)
• The Drum Room (Kansas City)
• Missouri Bar Association Annual Convention (Tan-Tar-A)
• American Jazz Museum’s Blue Room (Kansas City)
• McDonalds Corporation at Gem Theater (Kansas City)
• Zona Rosa

as Solo Artist

• Kansas Public Radio
• The Elephant Room (Austin, TX)
• Scalo Northern Italian Grill (Albuquerque, NM)
• Alfredo’s Coffee House (Albuquerque, NM)
• Mutual Musicians Foundation (Kansas City)
• Concorde Fortress of Hope Baptist Church (Kansas City)
• Osawatomie Cultural Center (Osawatomie, KS)
• St. James A.M.E. Church (Paola, KS)
• Lansing High School Jazz Band
• Principle Clarinet, Missouri River Valley Choral Festival Orchestra

with Tune Shop Lessons Studio (Leavenworth, KS)

• Dwight D. Eisenhower VA Medical Center (Leavenworth, KS)
• Harbor Lights Coffee Shop

with Metro Big Band

• The Sweet Life at Rosehill (Shawnee, KS)
• Claridge Court (Prairie Village, KS)
• Riverfront Community Center (Leavenworth, KS)

with Louis Neal Big Band

• Rhythm and Ribs 18th & Vine Jazz Festival

with Kansas City Youth Jazz, Inc. Faculty

• Monterey Jazz Festival, Next Generation Festival
• Kansas Bandmasters Association Convention
• The Uptown Theater (Kansas City)
• Unity Temple on the Plaza
• Women in Municipal Government Annual Summer Conference

with Black House Improvisors’ Collective

• The RecordBar (Kansas City)

with City Light Orchestra

• Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival (Topeka, KS)
• Belles of the American Royal Ball
• Rhythm and Ribs 18th & Vine Jazz Festival (2005)

as Clinician/Conductor/Guest Soloist

• Northeast KMEA District Jazz Ensemble
• MCC Penn Valley/18th & Vine Jazz Festival
• American Jazz Museum
• Kansas City Jazz Orchestra/KCKCC Music Scholars Program
• KCKCC Jazz Workshop Adjudicator and Clinician (Kansas City)
• KCYJ Summer Jazz Camp Faculty (Kansas City)
• Northwest Missouri State University Jazz Festival
• Leavenworth High School Jazz Band
• Lansing High School Jazz Band
• Pleasant Ridge High School Band

US Army Bands Career Program 1974 – 1996

Select Organizations and Special Events

• Armed Forces School of Music Faculty Jazz Ensemble
• Armed Forces School of Music Faculty Wind Ensemble
• All Eastern Band and Orchestra Clinic
• NATO Band (Italy)
• Pope John Paul II Arrival Ceremony
• RAI Uno Television, Rome, Italy
• Carnivale, Nice, France
• First US Army Band (Fort Meade)
• National Security Agency (NSA)
• Hodag Festival, Rhinelander, Wisconsin
• Featured Jazz Soloist, Hof Symphony Orchestra, Germany
• Firefall Concert, Springfield, Missouri
• Parade at Wayne, Kansas

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Also see: Press Quotes and References
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