By CHRIS M. SLAWECKI
Published: February 6, 2012
Kenny Burrell has appeared on so many essential jazz recordings that jazz history and his story seem irretrievably intertwined. Billie Holiday's valedictory rumination "Lady Sings the Blues (Verve, 1956)?" Jimmy Smith's epochal funk throwdown "Back at the Chicken Shack (Blue Note, 1960)?" Tony Bennett's Carnegie Hall debut? Kenny Burrell played guitar for them all. Even Jimi Hendrix once famously remarked, "Kenny Burrell—that's the sound I'm looking for."
Born in 1931 Detroit, Burrell seemed almost destined to become a musician. While he grew up, his dad played ukulele and banjo, his mom sang in church, and his older brother played saxophone, all of which inspired Burrell to explore music through guitar. But, just as importantly, Burrell grew up nurtured by a nascent Detroit music scene that soon shone with a remarkable number of stars such as Donald Byrd, Yusef Lateef, Milt Jackson, Tommy Flanagan and many others. Playing together in and around Detroit, like iron sharpening iron, made their musicianship soulful and strong.
