The Longest Walk

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Dubbed, "The Jackie Robinson of Classical Music," bassist Charles Burrell changed the face of classical music forever becoming the first person of color to play with a major symphony orchestra in the United States beginning in 1949 with the then, Denver Symphony Orchestra. In 1959, he fulfilled a lifelong dream to play with the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Pierre Monteux, the esteemed conductor. He stayed with the orchestra for another six years, returning to play with the Denver Symphony, later the Colorado Symphony, until his retirement in 1999. Charlie may be the only musician to lay claim to performing at the highest level in both jazz and classical music genres. His résumé in jazz reads like a proverbial all-star team, having performed with such luminaries as Billie Holiday, Errol Garner, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Benny Goodman, Clark Terry, Duke Ellington and Miles Davis to name but a few. As an educator, he passed on his gifts and advice to young musicians, some of whom are considered the best at their craft in the world including Major Holly, Dianne Reeves, George Duke, Purnell Steen and countless others. Join Charlie on his historic journey through time with Denver as the backdrop. The Five Points neighborhood was thriving as an artistic center of the city. Charlie played jazz in the famous venues of the time, including the Rossonian Hotel. At the same time, he was a strong symphonic bassist in Denver. Charlie helped to form the cultural identity of Denver, despite the politics in play, some of which adversely affected Charlie as a man of color. He remarkably rose above it all through his grace, intellect, and incomparable music.