Charles Burrell, the trailblazing bassist known as the “Jackie Robinson of Classical Music,” passed away peacefully on June 17, 2025, at 104. As a quiet force with extraordinary strength, he changed the face of American music — one note, one concert, and one courageous step at a time.

His remarkable life — stretching over a century — was filled with musical brilliance, quiet defiance, and profound cultural impact. As beautifully described in Misti Aas’s article, “The Longest Walk: A Music Legend’s Life’s Journey,” published in the Denver Weekly News on October 13, 2023, Burrell’s transformation from a determined schoolboy in Detroit to a national treasure in Denver embodies timeless lessons about passion, courage, and legacy.

A Relentless Passion Sparked in Childhood

Long before he performed beside jazz greats like Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker, Lionel Hampton, and Duke Ellington, Charles Burrell was just a boy with a dream and a double bass before he made history in the classical world. The instrument was too big to carry, so he dragged it behind him in a little red wagon on his way to school. It was the last one left in the band room, but to Burrell, it was destiny. He didn’t choose the bass — it chose him. And he gave his life to it.

‍

The Longest Walk: Breaking Barriers in Classical Music

Before his historic moment, Burrell had already faced racism while serving in the Navy’s music bands during World War II, where Black musicians were often segregated and denied equal opportunities.

In 1949, Burrell shattered a barrier no one had dared to touch. He became the first African American musician to earn a permanent contract with a major American symphony orchestra, joining the Denver Symphony. That debut performance would become one of the defining moments of his life — what he would later call “the longest walk of my life.” His cousin, jazz pianist Purnell Steen, remembered it vividly:

“Everybody else had come out on stage, and no sign of Charlie. Then the stage door opened, and there he was in his tux. It seemed like an eternity as he lifted his bass up like a shield — as if he were going to war.”

It wasn’t just a performance — it was an act of courage. That moment symbolized what Burrell had been doing his whole life: walking into spaces where people like him were never expected and showing that he belonged.‍

‍

A Dream Realized, A Legacy Secured‍

At age 12, huddled next to a crystal radio in Detroit, Burrell heard the San Francisco Symphony for the first time and made a quiet promise to himself: “One day, I’ll play under that conductor.”

That dream came true in 1959 when he joined the San Francisco Symphony under Pierre Monteux — the very man he had listened to as a child. At his first rehearsal, the orchestra gave him a standing ovation.

He had done it. And yet, he was never one to chase the spotlight. Burrell eventually returned to Denver, not for fame, but for family and community. Still, the world noticed.

On his 90th birthday, Congresswoman Diana DeGette honored him on the U.S. House of Representatives floor. Speaker Nancy Pelosi also offered tribute, calling out the depth and reach of his contributions.

And he kept inspiring others right up to the end. Filmmaker Vohn Regensburger began documenting Burrell’s story when the bassist was 99. “I just wanted to listen to Charlie and honor this man,” Regensburger said. His co-producer, Purnell Steen, put it best: “Perseverance and resilience — that’s Charlie. That’s his story.”‍

‍

Honoring a Lasting Legacy‍

Even in his later years, Charles Burrell remained a beloved figure in Colorado’s cultural life. In a moment of joy and recognition, he was named one of two grand marshals of the Five Points Jazz Festival, leading the kickoff parade through the historic neighborhood he helped shape.

His legacy has taken root across Denver and Aurora — not only in memories but in the very fabric of the cities. Aurora Public Schools renamed a school in his honor: the Charles Burrell Arts K–8. The media center at Aurora Central High School was converted into a digital music lab and creative hub. Bright signage now identifies the schools as the “Charles Burrell School of Performing Arts Campus.” This space allows students to dream as big as he did.

In 2024, his name was placed high on the side of a newly built eight-story affordable housing development in Denver’s RiNo Arts District — “The Burrell.” For the city he called home, it was a fitting tribute: a permanent space rooted in community and creativity, much like the man himself.

And in Denver’s Historic Five Points neighborhood, two breathtaking murals keep his spirit alive. One is a sepia-toned image of him standing with his bass, his trademark cigar in his mouth. The other, by artist Thomas “Detour” Evans, explodes in color — a bold, joyful celebration of a life lived with soul.‍

‍

A Lifetime of Recognition‍

Burrell’s accolades span decades. He received the Denver Mayor’s Award for Excellence in Arts and Culture in 2008, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award in 2011, and he was celebrated with a birthday tribute concert at the jazz station KUVO. The Alphonse Robinson African-American Music Association created the Charles Burrell Award in his honor, and in 2017, he was inducted into the Colorado Music Hall of Fame.

In 2014, he published his memoir, The Life of Charlie Burrell: Breaking the Color Barrier in Classical Music, co-written with Mitch Handelsman. It tells his story in his own words — honest, humble, and deeply human.

Music pulsed like a heartbeat in his family, forging a bond that resonated through generations. His cousin, Purnell Steen, a pianist and band leader, continues the jazz tradition in Denver, while his niece, Dianne Reeves, is a five-time Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist. She often credits her uncle as a mentor, role model, and guiding light.‍

‍

A Final Note‍

Charles Burrell may be gone, but he is far from forgotten. His story lives on — in the hearts of students learning to play their first notes, in the murals that stop people on streets, and in the voices of musicians who walk through the doors he opened.

As a proud member of the Greatest Generation — those shaped by the Great Depression called to serve in World War II and driven to build a better nation afterward — Burrell’s life was a testament to perseverance, dignity, and the quiet power of purpose. He didn’t just make music. He made history.

From that red wagon in Detroit to the grandest concert halls in America and the many jazz venues between Harlem and the Harlem of the West, every step he took — especially the longest walk — helped change what this country’s music looks, sounds, and means. He didn’t just play jazz and classical music. He made history. ‍

DWN