Charles Burrell, the first African American Musician to Be Hired by a Major American Orchestra, Dead at 104

Often described as "the Jackie Robinson of music," Charlie Burrell was a legend in his own right. The Detroit-born musician made history in 1949 when he became the first African American artist to be appointed by a major American orchestra. He died at 104.

"Charles dedicated his life to his music and inspired the world with his bass," his family said in a statement. "As one of the first African Americans to win an audition with a major symphony orchestra, he opened the doors for musicians of color everywhere."

"While we are heartbroken at his loss, we are also thankful for his long and inspiring life."

Born in Toledo, Ohio, Burrell grew up in Detroit, where he learned to play the tuba and the bass when he was 12 years old. He went to college at Wayne University and served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was stationed at the Great Lakes Naval Base in Chicago and was part of the first all black Navy band.

At his return, he was hired by the Denver Symphony, thanks to John VanBuskirk, the principal bass player, whom he met on a bus and recommended him for an audition. Burrell was working as a janitor at an Army hospital at the time.

Burrell found himself a decade later appointed to the San Francisco Symphony, where he was, once again, the first Black player. He also taught at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Five years later he returned to Denver, where he was once again part of the Denver Symphony, a job he combined with his passion for jazz. He frequently performed alongside legendary artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, and Charlie Parker.

He was given the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2015 and in 2017 he was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

In 2019, for Burrell's 99th birthday, the Colorado Symphony performed Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony — the same piece that inspired Burrell to pursue a career in classical music.

"Charles dedicated his life to his music and inspired the world with his bass. As one of the first African Americans to win an audition with a major symphony orchestra, he opened the doors for musicians of color everywhere," his family said in a statement Tuesday. "While we are heartbroken at his loss, we are also thankful for his long and inspiring life."

Originally published on classicalite.com