We’re chatting with jazz bassist Jon Burr on this week’s Contrabass Conversations episode. In addition to an active career recording and performing original tunes with the Jon Burr Quartet, Jon has toured and recorded with many great jazz masters, including Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Horace Silver, Hank Jones, Art Farmer, Stephane Grappelli (from 1986-1997), Sir Roland Hanna, Dorothy Donegan, and Buddy Rich. From 1980 – 1985 he toured with Tony Bennett; he has also worked with Lainie Kazan, Rita Moreno, Barbara Cook, Eartha Kitt, among others. Jon was a founding member of violinist Mark O’Connor’s “Hot Swing” trio, with guitarist Frank Vignola.
In our interview, we discuss Jon’s early years on the bass, his time spent touring with Stephane Grappelli and Tony Bennett, his upcoming book “The Untold Secret to Melodic Bass Playing,” upcoming projects, as well as advice for younger players coming up in the business right now. After the interview, we feature “Nobody Said It Was Easy,” one of Jon’s original tunes.
Learn more about Jon at his website jonburr.com and his food blog highfibercooking.com, and find him on Twitter at twitter.com/jonburr.
At last; a salt of the earth bassist whose reflection and coments I can relate to. Mr. Burr’s thought on survival in the music world came from a place that so many bassist dwell, as opposed the world of symphonic musicians.There are unfortunately, a lot more bassist than there are orchestra positions for bassist. I hope we hear more conversations such his.