This year's Burlington
Discover Jazz Festival is dedicated to the memory of Big Joe
Burrell, the larger-than-life saxophone player who brought
musical joy to Burlington and the rest of Vermont for three
decades. Big Joe died Feb. 1 at age 80, and in the past four
months those who were touched by the man and his music have
looked back on what he meant to them and the community. The
Burlington Free Press asked readers to share their memories of
Big Joe, and here's some of what they had to say (or show; the
photos come from reader Roy Gifford of Hinesburg):
My
wife Jennifer and I got married June 28, 1992, at The Inn on
the Common in Craftsbury. Big Joe and The Unknown Blues Band
played at the reception. The innkeeper had heard the name Big
Joe but never actually heard him play so was excited to see
him. After the first set, she said she wasn't sure what the
big deal was -- he was good but nothing special. Having seen
many, many Big Joe concerts and being a major fan I was
familiar with this phenomenon -- I said, "Just wait. ..." By
the third set all she could say was "Wow!" No doubt for
everyone it was one of the best weddings and bands ever.
-- Jonathan Cohen, South Burlington
I owned and
operated The Front from 1986 to 1991, a nightclub that
featured live entertainment located where the Skirack is
today. During the summer of 1990, The Unknown Blues Band was
headlining the Discover Jam Session that we ran every year
during the Discover Jazz Festival. There was an open
invitation for all musicians to come down, join the band and,
yeah, jam. Big Joe, Chuck Eller, Paul Asbell, Harry Thompson
and Tony Markelis were a special group of players. They could
accommodate many different musicians on the stage and created
some of the most compelling music that ever emanated from the
two very small windows in the place (Phish did OK, too, but,
that's another story).
My most vivid memory of Joe was
on the second humid night of their weekend run. One of the
Jazz Festival's headliner concerts had just finished at the
Flynn, and I could see the crowd out on Main Street. We would
always get overflow after their concerts, and on this night
not only did we get their crowd, but we also got their
headliner. In walked Betty Carter and her entourage. A jazz
legend's presence in a small, unknown club can really get the
heart racing. She came over to me and asked if she could join
in the jam session. As you can imagine, it was very exciting.
I went over to Chuck and Joe and asked.
A few minutes
later, she was up on stage, and it was nothing short of
magical. Betty was known for her unique vocal delivery, and
her voice with Joe's sax ripped the joint up. Everyone was on
their feet, and the spontaneity of the moment was not lost on
the crowd. I remember getting looks from my friends and
regulars as we all knew we were witnessing a once in a
lifetime performance.
No words can describe the
effortlessness the two of them shared on that hot, June night.
To my knowledge, it was the first time these legends had ever
shared a stage together, but you would never have known it.
That was the beauty of Joe, how he could make someone like
Betty Carter feel welcome. It's what all of us who saw him
felt, welcomed. Welcomed into his love of music.
Years
later, Big Joe and The Unknown Blues Band played at my
wedding. It was a wonderful night for my wife and I to
remember. But my fondest memory of him was the night Betty and
Joe tore it up and brought down the house at The Front. --
Shawn Sweeney, Shelburne
I am as unmusical as you
could imagine, not connected to music in any way, not even
listening to it in the car on the radio. Yet I once allowed a
friend to convince me to stop in one evening at Halvorson's to
hear Big Joe. It was my first time in Halvorson's back room in
the evening and my first time hearing Big Joe Burrell. After
that evening I was maximally surprised to be so moved by a
musician and a musical context. Somehow I understood, perhaps
for the first time, at age 57 no less, some of the magic of
music in people's lives. It turned out that it was Big Joe's
last gig, oxygen tank and all; he died before he ever returned
to Halvorson's again. It was a gift for me, and it seems
significant that right up to the end he was taking persons to
new places with music. I imagine that this would have pleased
him to know. -- Jeffrey Frost, Burlington
I
volunteer at 3 Cathedral Square, home to Big Joe. Whenever he
came through the door, he always had a big "Hi" for all,
making everyone he met on his way feel special. He was a true
gentleman to all, always opened the doors for the ladies and
gave them his seat whenever necessary. He was more than happy
to give his autograph to anyone who asked. I will miss his big
smile, his gentle voice, but mostly I will miss Big Joe
himself! -- Michelle Lyons, Burlington
My favorite
memory of Big Joe took place about five years ago at the
Fourth of July parade in Bristol. My husband and I took my
parents to the parade (they hadn't been to one in years). We
thought they would love the outhouse races, which they did
indeed. After the parade, we strolled over to the town green
where Big Joe and his band were playing. My mother, who was
nearing 80 years old at the time, was enthralled. At one
point, she spontaneously took my hand, and we started to
dance. It was lovely to see her enjoying herself so freely and
happily. It is also one of my favorite memories of my mother.
-- Diane Chattman, South Burlington
Was it Big
Joe's stature?
Was it Big Joe's musical
message?
Was it Big Joe's smile?
Or was it the
way Big Joe played the saxophone. ...
All of these are
fond memories during the 20 years we have followed Big Joe
Burrell and his performances. When Big Joe was playing ... we
found a way to attend. From the Blues Cruises on Lake
Champlain to the Chew Chew Festival to the Discover Jazz
Festival and the July Fourth Celebrations on the Burlington
Waterfront, we always looked forward to being part of the
events and seeing Big Joe's grand presence.
During the
years when we attended the many events, we always said, "when
we get married," we want Big Joe Burrell and The Unknown Blues
Band to play at our wedding. That dream came true on Sept. 1,
2002, when we were married at the Radisson Hotel in
Burlington. We had been engaged for nearly 20 years, and had
been together for 30 years and on that day, 250 of our friends
and family gathered to celebrate the occasion of our wedding
and Big Joe Burrell and The Unknown Blues Band played at our
reception. Our first dance was, "I Think It's Gonna Work Out
Fine" and the second dance, with my father-in-law, was
"Wonderful World." We will always remember Big Joe Burrell in
our hearts and the fond memories of his performances. He has
touched the lives of many. With Love, -- Nancy and
Rick Rock, Burlington
Big Joe Burrell played our
wedding back on June 29, 1997. The wedding was on top of Jay
Peak, and Big Joe played at the base for the reception. It was
so hot that two electronic keyboards broke. During part of
their show Big Joe gave Kelly and I his gift. I was a 100-year
guarantee on our marriage. After that he said it was up to us.
Eight years and two kids later, the guarantee is still working
fine. -- Chris LaMonda, Jericho
At Bill Kinzie's
studio in Wolcott (circa 1977?), Gary Sisco was making a
recording, and he'd asked Big Joe to play on it. I was
wondering as we were all sitting around waiting to do our
cameos: Why is this guy here? It can't be for the money, I am
quite sure. I think Joe embraced us Vermonters, or maybe more,
that he respected us, and never saw any project or person as
"beneath him" in any way; quite remarkable.
He also
mentioned somethin' about the location being kind of like
"Li'l Abner." -- Spencer Lewis, Bethel
One of my
most vivid memories of Big Joe was a performance he gave at my
70th birthday party a few years ago. The party was at the Old
Lantern in Charlotte, which has wonderful acoustics. As a
surprise for me, Big Joe had been asked to give a solo
performance on his soprano sax.
Everyone fell silent
when Big Joe began to play. The sound was almost too beautiful
to describe properly; enhanced by the wonderfully full
acoustics of the big room, the performance was a unique
experience for myself and my friends. Big Joe is most known
for his great blues singing and his mastery of the saxophone,
but I will always remember his solo performance on the soprano
sax, absolutely one of the best ever from him or anybody
else.
Thanks, Big Joe, you were the best, period.
-- Avery Hall, Burlington
My Memories of Big Joe
are many, but there is one that comes to mind. It happened at
Halvorson's one Thursday evening 1 years ago. Big Joe
and Friends were playing. One group of tables was pulled
together for a birthday celebration for a young college
student. Big Joe and Friends played "Happy Birthday" to her. A
few moments later an energetic Canadian gentleman jumped up to
announce that he and his wife were celebrating their 40th
wedding anniversary and asked Big Joe to play something for
them. Big Joe turned to the rest of the musicians, said
something, and turned back to the man and said OK. With a one
- two - three, Big Joe and Friends played "Things Aren't What
They Used To Be." -- Bryce Howells, Burlington
Big
Joe Burrell was a true inspiration for me. After hearing him
play at a friends' wedding in Lincoln some time in the
mid-'80s, I was inspired to learn how to play the saxophone.
Big Joe's words of encouragement were heartfelt. After talking
with him, I felt it was actually possible to turn my dream of
being a saxophone player into reality. I went out and bought
my first alto sax and taught myself to play. I've been playing
now for about 20 years and have loved every minute of it. I
was lucky enough to have "sat in" with Big Joe on more than
one occasion. He was always most gracious about
this.
Big Joe often sang about world peace. Let's
remember his words and keep working for the peace. --
Emily (Mimi) Ryan, from the band Mango Jam, Burlington
Joseph "Big Joe" Burrell brought joy, thrilling the
souls of thousands over the years during Twelfth Night
celebrations with the Essex Children's Choir. His melodious
vocal instrument soared joyous sounds of sacred blues for
Christmas; moving the audience to spontaneous singing,
clapping and standing ovations with cheers of joy!
Big
Joe always said, "I love those kids!" Likewise, the kids loved
Big Joe and will always cherish him and his gift of song.
-- Constance Price, founding director, Essex
Children's Choir South Burlington
