Kenny Burrell

Evening was a celebration of Kenny Burrell's 80th birthday with many special guests (Stevie Wonder was a surprise). Great for music lovers as jazz, blues and even orchestral pieces were performed.

The Burrell event was more than a concert--it was a festival! There were unforgettable performances by the grand masters of jazz and blues--Burrell's band, Lalo Schiffrin, B.B. King and his smooth-as-silk ensemble, Stevie Wonder as a marvelous surprise, Dee Dee Bridgewater. Then there were the marvelous collaborations between pairs or groups. Burrell was demonstrating the power of the masters. In the second half, we were treated to a series of premieres of new pieces created in honor of the occasion and performed by combined student and professional players. Then at the end we were stunned by the performance of a young female soloist. Burrell was introducing the future of jazz.

fantastic first half with great music and top notch guests - memorable jam with Kenny, B.B. King and Dee Dee Bridgewater and Stevie Wonder. Second half had a highlight with Dee Dee Bridgewater's scat and Kenny's wonderful answers. LA Jazz Orchestra Unlimited with added Philharmonic Orchestra too much, too long. Couldn't stay for more than four hours! Next time less presenters and talk and a more streamlined rundown!

This could have been an extraorindary experience. I think what let everyone down was the actual set-up. How can it take over a half hour to set-up from one performance to tne next? The technical set-up after the frist part of the program was just to much. I also think that the speakers took to much time in making their comments. It is unfortunate that the UCLA Philharmonia, primarily students, were not given their due in performing at the end which went almost to midnight. I left after the first part of the their performance, The doors did not open until almost 6:50 pm and as a result the performance began very late. Royce stafff should get their act together. In most cases I really enjoy attending performances at Royce but this not onf ot them.

Getting to see Kenny Burrell would have been treat enough. But B.B. King too!!! And then Stevie Wonder jamming on harmonica!!!! FABULOUS!!!! Unfortunately, that was all pre-intermission...and after intermission there were long and challenging orchestral works that the audience was (understandably) just too tired to appreciate. It was an overly ambitious evening, but delicious nonetheless.

What a treat to have been in attendance at this "jazzy blues orchestra" show. Amazing instrumentals and vocals made this event a "full spectrum production!" Thank you UCLA for putting such a great concert together! Just proves that Royce Hall houses the best of the best!!!

We loved the whole show!!! Amazing Kenny has not slowed down and his music is as timeless as he is. I hadn't seen him in over 25 years and he is still wonderful! His surprise visitors were a bonus. I took my brother there for his 71st birthday and he sat and recounted seeing Kenny at the Lighthouse (in Hermosa) years ago.

The first half of the concert was Incomparable. BBKIng is reallly the KIng and Kenny Burrell is a classy man! The second half of the concert was delayed much too long by the set-up crew;must have had some problems, so the concert was way too long. I am sure this was not intended but the waiting time for the second half was almost an hour. The sound guys were scrambling. I know they can do this better.

4.5 hr show; first half was kenny, bb, dee dee, lalo, and stevie wonder. second half, however, was kenny's pet project of the student orchestra, which went on forever, and the headliners never re-took the stage. too, too, bad.

Kenny Burrell is one the classiest and most charming people ever. Everybody that played on stage that night was so humble and warm. BB King was amazing with Kenny. Would love to see a show like this again, anytime. Music that truly hits the soul.