Jazz enthusiasts contribute to funding a faculty chair at UCLA, honoring acclaimed jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell
Renowned jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell, born on July 31, 1931, has had a distinguished career touring with notable musicians like Oscar Peterson and contributing significantly to the development of jazz education. In recognition of his contributions, the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music has established the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies.
Burrell joined the UCLA faculty in 1978 and played a crucial role in establishing one of the first jazz studies programs at a major university. In 1996, he became the founder and full-time director of Jazz Studies at UCLA. The new endowed chair is expected to be filled by fall 2019 and will help attract a senior faculty member for UCLA's global jazz studies bachelor's degree program.
The Herb Alpert Foundation provided a lead gift of $500,000, which was matched by funds from the UCLA chancellor's office. An additional $200,000 came from more than 150 donors, including members of the Friends of Jazz at UCLA. The funds raised for the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies are part of the UCLA Centennial Campaign, which is scheduled to conclude in December 2019 during UCLA's 100th anniversary year.
The chair was initiated by Judith Smith, dean of the music school, in celebration of Burrell's 85th birthday and his 20 years as director of the UCLA Jazz Studies program. The purpose of jazz studies programs, in general, is to foster the study and appreciation of jazz as an art form. They provide students with a comprehensive education in jazz history, theory, performance, and composition. Given Burrell's influence, the chair likely supports these educational goals and honors his contributions to jazz education.
In a 2011 interview, Burrell stated, "When I was in college, I was disturbed by the fact that jazz was not getting legitimate attention like other forms of music." This sentiment, coupled with his dedication to jazz education, makes the establishment of the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies a fitting tribute to his lifelong work in the field.
Throughout his career, Burrell has released over 100 records and performed and recorded with many of the great jazz musicians, including Billie Holiday, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Ray Charles, Art Blakey, and Louis Armstrong. He composed "Dear Ella," the title song on Dee Dee Bridgewater's 1997 Grammy-winning album. In 2010, the Recording Academy paid tribute to Burrell, naming him that year's Salute to Jazz honoree.
In 2004, Burrell created the Kenny Burrell Archive of African American Music at the UCLA Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies. The establishment of the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies continues his legacy of promoting and preserving jazz music at UCLA.
The news release for the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies was originally posted on UCLA Newsroom. The foundation's lead gift was announced at a tribute concert on Dec. 3, 2016.
With the establishment of the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies, UCLA reaffirms its commitment to the study and appreciation of jazz as an art form and honors Kenny Burrell's significant contributions to jazz education and the music industry.
References:
- UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music
- UCLA Jazz Studies
- Kenny Burrell
The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, in collaboration with the Kenny Burrell Chair in Jazz Studies, is anticipated to attract a senior faculty member for the global jazz studies bachelor's degree program by fall 2019, showing UCLA's commitment to fostering the study and appreciation of jazz as an art form. Previously, Kenny Burrell, a renowned jazz guitarist and educator, had played a key role in establishing one of the first jazz studies programs at a major university, using his influence to honor his lifelong work in educating and preserving jazz music.
