Charles Burrell (musician)

Charles "Charlie" Burrell (October 4, 1920 – June 17, 2025) was an American classical and jazz bass player. He was known for being the first African-American to be a member of a major American symphony (the Denver Symphony, now known as the Colorado Symphony). For this, he is often known as "the Jackie Robinson of Classical Music". He was born in Toledo, Ohio.

Death
Burrell died on June 17, 2025, at the age of 104.

 Discography 
 Don Ewell: Denver Concert (Pumpkin)
 Marie Rhines : Tartans & Sagebrush (Ladyslipper)
 Whiskey Blanket: No Object
 Joan Tower / Colorado Symphony Orchestra, Marin Alsop – Fanfares For The Uncommon Woman (Koch International Classics)

Bibliography
Charlie Burrell, Mitch Handelsman, The Life of Charlie Burrell: Breaking the Color Barrier in Classical Music, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (October 29, 2014)

 References 

Other websites
Documentary Charlie Burrell, American symphonies’ first black musician 
Transcript of tribute to Charles Burell on the floor of the US House of Representatives
PBS documentary on Jazz in Five Points 
Documentary Series Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Integrating a Major U.S. Symphony 

Category:1920 births
Category:2025 deaths
Category:American centenarians
Category:American jazz musicians
Category:American guitarists
Category:Musicians from Toledo, Ohio