Purnell Steen’s Birthday Tribute For Charles Burrell

For over 30 years, Purnell Steen and the Five Points Ambassadors have been dedicated to preserving and playing the Jazz and Blues music of Denver's legendary Five Points neighborhood. In the special edition of Backstage Jazz, Steen pays tribute to music icon Charles “Charlie” Burrell in preparation for his 103rd birthday.   Burrell is a classical and jazz bass player and best known for being the first African American to be signed to a full-time contract in a major symphony orchestra in the United States. He is often called "the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music for this accomplishment.   He also performed with the San Francisco Symphony and later became a prominent figure in the Five Points jazz scene of Denver, sharing stages with the likes of Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, and Duke Ellington. Thanks for listening, and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, provoke and inspire.