World-renowned
saxophonist and educator Abraham Burton has been a prominent figure on the jazz
scene for decades. He has been featured on dozens of recordings
including several Grammy nominations and showcased on a Grammy award-winning
album. Throughout
his career Abraham has performed and recorded with numerous contemporaries and
legendary jazz artists including Rashid Ali, Kenny Barron, Walter Bishop Jr.,
George Cables, Michael Carvin, Marc Cary, Cyrus Chestnut, Steve Davis, Santi
Debriano, Orrin Evans, Rein de Graaff, Roy Hargrove, Louis Hayes, Roy Haynes,
Eddie Henderson, Freddie Hendrix, Conrad Herwig, John Hicks, Terumasa Hino,
Yosuke Inoue, Victor Lewis, Harold Mabern, Christian McBride, Jackie McLean,
Eric McPherson, Mulgrew Miller, Lawrence “Butch” Morris, David Murray, Steve
Nelson, Nicholas Payton, Alvin Queen, Nat Reeves, Larry Ridley, Wallace Roney,
Jimmy Smith, Arthur Taylor, Horace Tapscott, Nasheet Waits, Kenny Washington,
Peter Washington, Larry Willis, Jimmy Woode and Reggie Workman.
Born
and raised in Greenwich Village, the “Mecca” of jazz, Abraham’s interest in
music was ignited by the many pioneers on the New York scene. Determined to
explore the jazz idiom, Abraham attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of
Music & the Performing Arts, under the tutelage of head jazz instructor
Justin Dicioccio. Abraham was chosen by Dicioccio to be the alto man in an
all-star quintet, which was awarded best jazz combo by Downbeat Magazine. In
addition, Abraham received an award for outstanding soloist. In the same year,
Abraham won the McDonald’s Jazz Combo Competition in trio fashion. While in high school,
Abraham frequented jazz clubs and became personally acquainted with and
mentored by many popular jazz artists such as Cecile Bridgewater, Richard
Davis, Water Davis Jr., Barry Harris, Billy Higgins, Elvin Jones, Wynton
Marsalis, Max Roach, Bill Saxton and Fredrick Waits, to whom Abraham credits
much of his musical foundation and education.
In the mid-80’s, Abraham met celebrated saxophonist
Jackie McLean with whom he began an apprenticeship. Over the next several
years, Abraham studied with McLean at the Hartt School of Music. In 1993,
Abraham received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music and Performance from the
University of Hartford, graduating with honors. In 2013, Abraham received
the prestigious Ralph Bunche Fellowship at Rutgers University where he obtained
his Masters Degree in Music. Abraham's professional career initiated with
master drummer Arthur Taylor. As a “Wailer," Abraham recorded on the
albums Mr. A.T. and Live at the Village Vanguard. Abraham began touring
throughout Europe and at popular New York jazz clubs including The Village
Vanguard, Blue Note, Sweet Basil and Birdland. Abraham also began
performing with his own dynamic group, The Abraham Burton Quartet. The
collective has been featured at venues and festivals worldwide including the
North Sea Jazz Festival, the Moors Jazz Festival, The JVC jazz Festival and the
Pori Jazz Festival. The Band has also appeared internationally on television
and radio programs and has recorded a notable collection of albums under
Abraham’s leadership. A part of the Mingus family for two decades, Abraham
has performed globally in all three ensembles The Mingus Big Band, the Mingus
Dynasty and the Mingus Orchestra. In recent years, Abraham began teaching
and sharing his musical knowledge and experience with future generations. He
joined the faculty at both the Jackie McLean institute of Jazz (University of
Hartford) and Rutgers University where his classes are in high demand. His
decades of experience and commitment to music have made him an exceptional
musician and gifted educator.