# Don Burrows

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Australian jazz musician (1928–2020)

For the English professor and Handel scholar, see [Donald Burrows (musicologist)](/source/Donald_Burrows_(musicologist)). For the American football player, see [Don Burroughs](/source/Don_Burroughs).

Don Burrows Born Donald Vernon Burrows (1928-08-08)8 August 1928 Marrickville, Sydney, Australia Died 12 March 2020(2020-03-12) (aged 91) Terrey Hills, Sydney Genres Jazz Occupation Musician Instruments Clarinet, saxophone, flute Years active 1942–2005 Labels Columbia Records, WEA, Polygram

Musical artist

**Donald Vernon Burrows** [AO](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_Australia) [MBE](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire) (8 August 1928 – 12 March 2020[1]) was an [Australian jazz](/source/Australian_jazz) and [swing](/source/Swing_(genre)) musician who played clarinet, saxophone and flute.

## Life and career

Donald Vernon Burrows was born on 8 August 1928, the only child of Vernon and Beryl and attended [Bondi Public School](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bondi_Public_School&action=edit&redlink=1). In 1937 a visiting flutist and teacher ([Victor McMahon](/source/Victor_McMahon)) inspired him to start learning the flute. He began on a B-flat flute which he later played at [Carnegie Hall](/source/Carnegie_Hall) and the [Newport Jazz Festival](/source/Newport_Jazz_Festival). By 1940 he was captain of the Metropolitan Schools Flute Band and began entering talent quests.[2][3]

By 1942, aged 14, Burrows had begun playing clarinet and quit school.[4] He began appearing at Sydney jazz clubs, and appeared on *The Youth Show*, a Macquarie Radio show. In 1944 he was invited to play and record with George Trevare's Australians. He became well known in Sydney jazz circles and was performing in dance halls, nightclubs and radio bands. He was a member of [Jim Gussey](/source/Jim_Gussey)'s ABC Dance Band for five years.[5]

During the 1960s and 1970s Burrows had many engagements in Australia and the United States, including six years performing at the [Wentworth Hotel](/source/Sofitel_Sydney_Wentworth) in Sydney[6] in quartets with Ed Gaston, George Golla, and various drummers. It was this association which made his name the "most familiar in Australian jazz".[5] In 1972, he was invited to perform at the [Montreux Jazz Festival](/source/Montreux_Jazz_Festival)[7] and later the Newport Jazz Festival.

The year 1973 was a watershed for Burrows as he received the first gold record for an Australian jazz musician for his record *Just the Beginning*,[8] instigated the first jazz studies program in the southern hemisphere, at the [New South Wales Conservatorium of Music](/source/Sydney_Conservatorium_of_Music) (under the direction of [Rex Hobcroft](/source/Rex_Hobcroft)) and was appointed a [Member of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire) (MBE).[9] In 1979 he was appointed Chair of Jazz Studies at the conservatorium.

Burrows performed to mostly classical music audiences through tours with [Musica Viva](/source/Musica_Viva) and the [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) concert series. He led the nationally televised show *The Don Burrows Collection* for six years. He had an extensive recording career with his groups and performed on albums by others.

In the 1980s Burrows mentored and was closely associated with [James Morrison](/source/James_Morrison_(jazz_musician)). He formed the Don Burrows Quartet with [George Golla](/source/George_Golla) (guitar), [Ed Gaston](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ed_Gaston&action=edit&redlink=1) (double bass) and [Alan Turnbull](/source/Alan_Lawrence_Turnbull) (drums). He also worked with [Frank Sinatra](/source/Frank_Sinatra), [Dizzy Gillespie](/source/Dizzy_Gillespie), [Nat King Cole](/source/Nat_King_Cole), [Oscar Peterson](/source/Oscar_Peterson), [Tony Bennett](/source/Tony_Bennett), [Stéphane Grappelli](/source/St%C3%A9phane_Grappelli), [Cleo Laine](/source/Cleo_Laine), and the [Sydney Symphony Orchestra](/source/Sydney_Symphony_Orchestra).

In 1981 Burrows played woodwind on a *[Play School](/source/Play_School_(Australian_TV_series))* album, *Hey Diddle Diddle*: it was his only involvement with the show.[10]

In 2005 Burrows toured with a small band that included the Australian jazz pianist [Kevin Hunt](/source/Kevin_Hunt_(musician)).[11] He used his photographic images with his music in a show called *Stop, Look and Listen*.

Burrows had arthritis from age 38. In a 2008 interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's [Andrew Ford](/source/Andrew_Ford_(composer)), celebrating his 80th birthday, he said that "arthritis is not the greatest for playing a musical instrument. But playing a musical instrument is very, very good for arthritis".[12] In later years he had [Alzheimer's disease](/source/Alzheimer's_disease) and lived in a nursing home in northern Sydney.[13] He died on 12 March 2020, aged 91.[1][14]

## Awards and honours

- 1973: [Member of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Member_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire) (MBE)

- 1987: [Officer of the Order of Australia](/source/Officer_of_the_Order_of_Australia) (AO)[15]

- 1988: Life member of the New South Wales Conservatorium of Music

- 1989: Named one of the [Australian Living Treasures](/source/Australian_Living_Treasures)

- 2000: Honorary Doctorate in Music, [Sydney University](/source/Sydney_University)

- 2001: Honorary Doctorate in Music, [Edith Cowan University](/source/Edith_Cowan_University), [Perth](/source/Perth%2C_Western_Australia)

### APRA Awards

The [APRA Awards](/source/APRA_Awards_(Australia)) are held in Australia and New Zealand by the [Australasian Performing Right Association](/source/Australasian_Performing_Right_Association) to recognise songwriting skills, sales and airplay performance by its members annually.

Year Nominee / work Award Result 2004[16] Don Burrows Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music inducted

### ARIA Awards

The [ARIA Music Awards](/source/ARIA_Music_Awards) is an annual awards ceremony that recognises excellence, innovation, and achievement across all genres of [Australian music](/source/Australian_music). It commenced in 1987.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref. 1988 Nice 'n' Easy (with Adelaide Connection) Best Jazz Album Nominated [17] 1991 Don Burrows ARIA Hall of Fame inducted 2006 Non Stop Flight – Great Music of the Swing Era (with The Mell-O-Tones & Phillip Sametz) Best Jazz Album Nominated [17] 2016 In Good Company (with James Morrison) Best Jazz Album Nominated [17]

### Australian Jazz Bell Awards

The [Australian Jazz Bell Awards](/source/Australian_Jazz_Bell_Awards) recognised the talent and achievements of Australian jazz artists locally and internationally

Year Nominee / work Award Result 2008[18] Don Burrows Australian Jazz Bell Hall of Fame inducted

### Bernard Heinze Memorial Award

The [Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award](/source/Sir_Bernard_Heinze_Memorial_Award) is given to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to music in Australia.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref. 1999 Don Burrows Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award awarded [19]

### Mo Awards

The Australian Entertainment Mo Awards (commonly known informally as the [Mo Awards](/source/Mo_Awards)), were annual Australian entertainment industry awards. They recognise achievements in live entertainment in Australia from 1975 to 2016. Don Burrows won one award in that time.[20]

Year Nominee / work Award Result (wins only) 1992 Don Burrows John Campbell Fellowship Award Won

## Discography

### Albums

List of albums, with Australian chart positions Title Album details Peak chart positions AUS [21] On Camera (as Don Burrows Plus Six) Released: 1963 Format: LP Label: Columbia (SCXO-7692) —N/a A Tribute to Freddy Gardner Released: 1966 Format: LP Label: Columbia (SCXO-7777) —N/a The Jazz Sound of the Don Burrows Quartet (as Don Burrows Plus Six) Released: 1966 Format: LP Label: Columbia (SCXO 7781) —N/a 2000 Weeks Released: 1969 Format: LP Label: Columbia (SCXO 7883) NB: Soundtrack to the film 2000 Weeks —N/a Just the Beginning (as The Don Burrows Quartet) Released: 1971 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPS-1009) – Live! at Montreaux (as The Don Burrows Quartet) Released: 1972 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPS-1010) – At The Sydney Opera House (as The Don Burrows Quartet) Released: 1974 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPS 1017) – Duo (with George Golla and Luis Bonfa) Released: 1975 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPS 1021) 98 The New Don Burrows Quintet (as The New Don Burrows Quintet) Released: 1975 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1023) – The Tasman Connection Released: 1976 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1026) – St James (with Galapagos Duck) Released: 1976 Format: LP Label: 44 Records (6357704) – Steph 'n' Us (with George Golla and Stephane Grappelli) Released: 1977 Format: LP, Cassette Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1032) 38 Don Burrows and the Brazilian Connection (with The Brazilian Connection) Released: 1978 Format: 2xLP Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1035) 92 Cool Yule Released: 1978 Format: LP Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1037) – Back in Town (with Don Andrews, Andy Brown and Alan Turnbull) Released: 1979 Format: LP Label: 44 Records (6357722) – Other Places Other Times (with George Golla Duo) Released: 1980 Format: LP, Cassette Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1043) 38 Don Burrows with Neil Thurgate Orchestra (with Neil Thurgate Orchestra) Released: 1980 Format: LP, Cassette Label: ABC (ABC LPX 0005) – Bonfa Burrows Brazil (with Luiz Bonfá and George Golla) Released: 1980 Format: LP, Cassette Label: Cherry Pie (CPF 1045) – Other Places Other Times (with Luiz Bonfá and George Golla) Released: 1981 Format: LP, Cassette Label: Cherry Pie (L 37654) – This Time Tassie (with George Golla Duo) Released: 1981 Format: 2xLP Label: Cherry Pie (L 70201) – Sara Dane Released: 1982 Format: LP Cassette Label: Cherry Pie (LD 37856) NB: Music Inspired By the Series Sara Dane 86 Fluteman (John Sangster with Don Borrows) Released: 1982 Format: LP Cassette Label: Rain-Forest (RFLP-006) NB: Soundtrack to the film Fluteman – A Retrospective (as Burrows' Jazz Brothers) Released: 1982 Format: LP Cassette Label: ABC (ABCL 8207) – Burrows at the Winery Released: 1984 Format: LP Cassette Label: ABC (L 38161) – Makin' Whoopee! (with The Adelaide Connection) Released: September 1985[22] Format: LP, Cassette Label: ABC (L 38321) – Jazz at The Opera House (as The Don Burrows Quintet with The Australian Vocal Ensemble & The Chris Hinze Combination) Released: 1985 Format: LP, Cassette Label: ABC (L 38402) – Flute Salad (with Chris Hinze) Released: 1986 Format: LP, Cassette Label: ABC (L 38418) – Nice 'n' Easy (as The Don Burrows Quintet with The Adelaide Connection) Released: 1987 Format: CD, Cassette Label: ABC (L 38754) – With Orchestra (as The Don Burrows Quintet) Released: 1990 Format: CD, Cassette Label: WEA (903172626-2) – Quintet (as The Don Burrows Quintet) Released: 1990 Format: CD, Cassette Label: WEA (903172627-2) – Duets (as The Don Burrows Quintet) Released: 1990 Format: CD, Cassette Label: WEA (903172628-1) – Together at Last (with Julie Anthony) Released: 1994 Format: CD, Cassette Label: Castle Communications (CTVCD 1001) – In Flight (Marilane with Don Burrows) Released: 1999 Format: CD, Cassette Label: MDM (MDM 01 CD) – Bob Barnard's Jazz Party 2004 (Bob Barnard) Released: 2005 Format: CD Label: Nif Nuf Jazz Recordings (43/021) – Eye to Eye Vol 1+2 (Kevin Hunt) Released: June 2007[23] Format: 2×CD – In Good Company (with James Morrison) Released: 2015 Format: CD Label: ABC Jazz –

### Compilations

Title Album details The Babinda Trilogy Released: 1990 Format: 3xLP Label: WEA (903172628-1) Features Quintet & With Orchestra & Duets The First 50 Years: Volume One (1944–1965) Released: 1992 Format: CD Label: ABC, Polygram (514296-2) The First 50 Years: Volume Two (1967–1976) Released: 1993 Format: CD Label: ABC, Polygram (514297-2) The First 50 Years: Volume Three (1977–1979) Released: 1993 Format: CD Label: ABC, Polygram (514298-2) The First 50 Years: Volume Four (1980–1984) Released: 1993 Format: CD Label: ABC, Polygram (514299-2) The First 50 Years: Volume Five (1985–1992) Released: 1993 Format: CD Label: ABC, Polygram (514300-2) Non-Stop Flight: Great Music of the Swing Era (with The Mell-O-Tones) Released: 2005 Format: 2XCD Label: ABC Jazz (ABC 982 9885)

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-death_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-death_1-1) Brandle, Lars (1 April 2020). ["Don Burrows, Australia Jazz Legend, Dies at 91"](https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9334246/don-burrows-australia-jazz-legend-obit). *Billboard*. Retrieved 13 March 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Jazz_in_Australia_2-0)** Haesler, Bill. ["Jazz in Australia"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150108010430/http://jazzinaustralia.org.au/the-traditionalists/). Archived from [the original](http://jazzinaustralia.org.au/the-traditionalists/) on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 7 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Ford, Andrew (9 August 2008). ["DON BURROWS AT 80 YEARS OF AGE – The Music Show on ABC Radio National"](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/58bf64e6c534a5e3ac61401d/t/59c61e86017db213540eb6f6/1506156176590/FordAndrewDonBurrowsAt80.pdf) (PDF). *Eric Myers Jazz*. Retrieved 30 November 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["GOOD TIMES Fifty of Don Burrows' best"](http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article126967613). *Canberra Times*. 7 January 1993. Retrieved 9 January 2023.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Oxford_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Oxford_5-1) Bruce Johnson (1987). *The Oxford Companion to Australian Jazz*. p. 124. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0195547918](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0195547918).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ed_Gaston_6-0)** Shand, John (17 October 2012). ["Bassist's style was music to the ears"](http://www.smh.com.au/comment/obituaries/bassists-style-was-music-to-the-ears-20121017-27rga.html). Retrieved 14 January 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Montreux Sounds official website"](https://web.archive.org/web/20060524075041/http://www.montreuxsounds.com/detail2006.php?fiche=174). Archived from [the original](http://www.montreuxsounds.com/detail2006.php?fiche%3D174) on 24 May 2006. Retrieved 16 October 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Just_the_Beginning_on_australianscreen_online_8-0)** ["'Just the Beginning' on australianscreen online"](http://aso.gov.au/titles/music/just-the-beginning/). Retrieved 3 March 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** [It's an Honour](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1087976) – Member of the Order of the British Empire

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** *Hey Diddle Diddle: Songs from Kindergarten / Songs from Play School*, ABC Records, 1981.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Award-winning jazz performer Kevin Hunt](http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevsy/biography.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20070315193526/http://members.ozemail.com.au/~kevsy/biography.htm) 15 March 2007 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Don Burrows transcript"](http://www.abc.net.au/rn/musicshow/stories/2008/2314802.htm). [Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) (ABC) The Music Show. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 17 September 2008.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-ABC_13-0)** Cheshire, Ben (31 July 2016). ["Don Burrows: Jazz legend who mentored James Morrison plays on, despite dementia"](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-08-01/music-plays-on-for-jazz-legend-don-burrows/7670598). *ABC News*. Australian Boroadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 14 July 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Rasmussen, Henry (13 March 2020). ["Remembering Don Burrows (1928–2020)"](https://www.abc.net.au/jazz/features/specials/don-burrows-obituary/12053490). *[Australian Broadcasting Corporation](/source/Australian_Broadcasting_Corporation) (ABC)*. Retrieved 1 April 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** [It's an Honour](https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/870076) – Officer of the Order of Australia

1. **[^](#cite_ref-APRAWin2004_16-0)** ["2004 Winners – APRA Music Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110308004015/http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2004Winners.aspx). [Australasian Performing Right Association](/source/Australasian_Performing_Right_Association) (APRA). Archived from [the original](http://www.apra-amcos.com.au/APRAAwards/MusicAwards/History/2004Winners.aspx) on 8 March 2011. Retrieved 2 September 2010.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-JazzAlbum_17-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-JazzAlbum_17-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-JazzAlbum_17-2) ARIA Award previous winners. ["ARIA Awards Best Jazz Album"](https://www.ariaawards.com.au/history/award/best-jazz-album?view=list#). Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA). Retrieved 25 June 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** Jackson, Andra (3 May 2007). ["For jazz Hall of Fame, it's plain and simple: is Don, is good"](http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/for-jazz-hall-of-fame-its-plain-and-simple-is-don-is-good/2007/05/02/1177788225262.html). *The Age*. Melbourne.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Woodworks Gallery"](https://web.archive.org/web/20120325194620/http://www.bwoodworks.com.au/node/126). Archived from [the original](http://bwoodworks.com.au/node/126) on 25 March 2012. Retrieved 17 August 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["MO Award Winners"](https://web.archive.org/web/20220307064432/https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners). *Mo Awards*. Archived from [the original](https://www.moawards.com.au/awardwinners) on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 16 March 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-aus_21-0)** [Kent, David](/source/David_Kent_(historian)) (1993). *Australian Chart Book 1970–1992* (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 50. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-646-11917-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-646-11917-6).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** Foster, Michael (23 September 1985), ["Extra enjoyable"](https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/128257088?searchTerm=%22Adelaide%20Connection%22%20jazz&searchLimits=), *Canberra Times*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Sharpe, John (15 June 2007), "JAZZ. Eye to Eye The Don Burrows and Kevin Hunt Duo", *The Canberra Times*

## External links

- [*Just the Beginning* samples](http://aso.gov.au/titles/music/just-the-beginning/)

- ["Australian jazz – mainstream"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150103215903/http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-jazz-mainstream). *australia.gov.au*. Archived from [the original](http://www.australia.gov.au/about-australia/australian-story/austn-jazz-mainstream) on 3 January 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.

- ["Artists Profiles"](https://web.archive.org/web/20150104004348/http://www.jazzandbeyond.com.au/artists.html). *Jazz and Beyond*. Archived from [the original](http://www.jazzandbeyond.com.au/artists.html) on 4 January 2015. Retrieved 3 January 2015.

v t e Sir Bernard Heinze Memorial Award Ruth Alexander (1987) Frank Callaway (1988) Malcolm Williamson (1989) Patrick Thomas (1990) Beryl Kimber (1991) John Hopkins (1992) Leonard Dommett (1993) Peter Sculthorpe (1994) Yvonne Kenny (1995) Jan Sedivka (1996) Richard Mills (1997) Donald Hazelwood (1998) Richard Gill (1999) Don Burrows (2000) John Curro (2001) John Painter (2002) Stephen McIntyre (2003) Graeme Koehne (2004) Richard Divall (2005) Richard Tognetti (2006) Graham Abbott (2007) Barry Tuckwell (2008) Richard Bonynge (2009) Brett Dean (2010) Simone Young (2011) Carl Vine (2012) Roger Covell (2013) Anne Boyd (2014) Margaret Kartomi (2015) Mary Vallentine (2016) Ronald Farren-Price (2017) Judy Bailey (2018) Deborah Cheetham (2019) Richard Letts (2020) Lyn Williams (2021) Piers Lane (2022) Nicolette Fraillon (2023) Linda Barwick (2024) Wilma Smith (2025)

Authority control databases International ISNI VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States France BnF data Artists MusicBrainz People Trove 2 Other Yale LUX

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Don Burrows](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Burrows) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Burrows?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.