Colorado Double Bassist Charlie Burrell has Died, Aged 104

Burrell was the first Black player to be appointed to a major American orchestra

Charles Burrell, who was the first African American musician to receive a contract with a major American orchestra, has passed away at the age of 104.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, in 1920, Burrell grew up in Detroit and began learning both the double bass and tuba at the age of twelve. He went on to Wayne University, where racism was rife: in 2019, Burrell described an incident towards the end of his studies where a senior member of staff took him aside and praised his musical ability, but then told him "I'm 40 years old and as long as I’m here there’ll be no negroes in the music department in any of the public schools."

After serving in the military during the Second World War, Burrell was refused auditions at four different symphony orchestras because of racism, and in 1949, he became the first Black player in a major American orchestra when he was appointed to the Denver Symphony.

Burrell spent a decade there before he was appointed to the San Francisco Symphony — where he became that orchestra's first-ever Black player. He was also one of the first professors of color at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he taught during that period.

After five years in San Francisco, he returned to the Denver Symphony, and also cultivated his jazz interests — appearing alongside jazz luminaries such as Charlie Parker, Billie Holiday, and Ella Fitzgerald, among others. He retired from the Denver Symphony in 1999 at the age of 79.

Our condolences to Burrell's family, friends, and colleagues.

"Charles dedicated his life to his music and inspired the world with his bass," his family said in a statement. "As one of the first African Americans to win an audition with a major symphony orchestra, he opened the doors for musicians of color everywhere."

"While we are heartbroken at his loss, we are also thankful for his long and inspiring life."