It is utmost in his mind, and that makes him special. Burrell sees big things in store for the program, most importantly for its students. Students can go on to grad school or become jazz performers, writers or producers. But one of the most important goals involves creating a sense of joy in the classroom, something not always present at the university, Burrell says. That sense of pleasure is not there.
Some professors are too serious.
I want the students to discover their music. The biggest joy comes when the students start to play their own stuff. The ultimate goal in jazz is to do your own thing. This philosophy is one Kenny also applies to his own career in jazz. Burrell began playing guitar in Detroit during his early teens and was influenced by such greats as Charlie Christian, the first guitarist to utilize the electric guitar, and Oscar Moore, the innovator of modern chords.