Ronnie Burrage (born James Ronaldo Burrage October 19, 1959) is an American

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

drummer. His style draws from

funk Funk is a music genre that originated in African-American communities in the mid-1960s when musicians created a rhythmic, danceable new form of music through a mixture of various music genres that were popular among African-Americans in the ...

, and

soul The soul is the purported Mind–body dualism, immaterial aspect or essence of a Outline of life forms, living being. It is typically believed to be Immortality, immortal and to exist apart from the material world. The three main theories that ...

Career

He was born in

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

Missouri Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...

, United States. Burrage sang in the St. Louis Cathedral boys' choir from age seven to eleven and performed with

Duke Ellington Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (April 29, 1899 – May 24, 1974) was an American Jazz piano, jazz pianist, composer, and leader of his eponymous Big band, jazz orchestra from 1924 through the rest of his life. Born and raised in Washington, D ...

at the age of nine. He was introduced to jazz by listening to music every day from uncles and grandparents. He played drums, percussion, and vibraphone and sang in funk, R&B, and jazz groups, including The Soul Flamingos,

Fontella Bass Fontella Marie Bass (; July 3, 1940 – December 26, 2012) was an American R&B and soul singer-songwriter best known for her number-one R&B hit " Rescue Me" in 1965. She was nominated for a Grammy Award twice. Early life Fontella Bass was bor ...

Oliver Sain Oliver Sain Jr. (March 1, 1932 – October 28, 2003) was an American saxophone, saxophonist, songwriter, bandleader, drummer and record producer, who was an important figure in the development of rhythm and blues music, notably in St Louis, Mi ...

, Third Circuit & Spirit, Rainbow Glass, and Expression Jazz Quintet. From age 15 to 17, Burrage was a member of No Commercial Potential with Mark Friedrick on keyboards, Darryl Mixon on bass, and Richie Daniels on guitar. They were the opening act for

George Duke George Martin Duke (January 12, 1946 – August 5, 2013) was an American keyboardist, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer. He worked with numerous artists as arranger, music director, writer and co-writer, record producer and as ...

and Gino Vannelli. Burrage played in clubs, concerts, and venues, including the annual Afro Day in the Park in St. Louis. When he was 17, he moved to New York City, and played with Lester Bowie, Defunkt, Teruo Nakamura,

Roland Hanna Roland Pembroke Hanna (February 10, 1932 – November 13, 2002) was an American jazz pianist, composer, and teacher. Biography Hanna studied classical piano from the age of 11, but was strongly interested in jazz, having been introduced to i ...

, and Major Holley. In 1978, on a full music scholarship, he attended

North Texas State University The University of North Texas (UNT) is a public university, public research university located in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Its main campus is in Denton, Texas, Denton, with a satellite campus in Frisco, Texas, Frisco. It serves as the ...

. As a member of the St. Louis Metropolitan Jazz Quintet in the early 1980s, he worked with musicians coming through St. Louis, such as Arthur Blythe, Andrew Hill,

Jackie McLean John Lenwood McLean (May 17, 1931 – March 31, 2006) was an American jazz alto saxophonist, composer, bandleader, and educator. He is one of the few musicians to be elected to the ''DownBeat'' Hall of Fame in the year of their death. Bio ...

, and

McCoy Tyner Alfred McCoy Tyner (December 11, 1938March 6, 2020) was an American jazz piano, jazz pianist and composer known for his work with the John Coltrane Quartet from 1960 to 1965, and his long solo career afterwards. He was an NEA Jazz Masters, NEA J ...

. After working with

Woody Shaw Woody Herman Shaw Jr. (December 24, 1944 – May 10, 1989) was an American jazz trumpeter, flugelhornist, cornetist, composer, arranger, band leader, and educator. Shaw is widely known as one of the 20th century's most important and influentia ...

, he founded an

avant-garde jazz Avant-garde jazz (also known as avant-jazz, experimental jazz, or "new thing") is a style of music and improvisation that combines avant-garde art music and composition with jazz. It originated in the early 1950s and developed through the late 1 ...

group named Third Kind of Blue with Anthony Cox and John Purcell. In the 1990s, he recorded with Billy Bang,

Hamiet Bluiett Hamiet Bluiett (; September 16, 1940 – October 4, 2018) was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, and composer. His primary instrument was the baritone saxophone, and he was considered one of the finest players of this instrument. A membe ...

Sonny Fortune Cornelius "Sonny" Fortune (May 19, 1939 – October 25, 2018) was an American jazz saxophonist. He played soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones, clarinet, and flute. Biography He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Af ...

Courtney Pine Courtney Pine, (born 18 March 1964) is a British jazz musician, who was the principal founder in the 1980s of the black British band the Jazz Warriors. Although known primarily for his saxophone playing, Pine is a multi-instrumentalist, also ...

Gunther Schuller Gunther Alexander Schuller (November 22, 1925June 21, 2015) was an American composer, conductor, horn player, author, historian, educator, publisher, and jazz musician. Biography and works Early years Schuller was born in Queens, New York City ...

, and the World Saxophone Quartet. The Burrage Ensemble was his first band, playing primarily in New York City from 1980–1983 and at jazz festivals in Philadelphia, St. Louis, Boston, and Washington, D.C. Members were

Kenny Kirkland Kenneth David Kirkland (September 28, 1955 – November 12, 1998) was an American pianist and keyboardist. Biography Early life Born in Brooklyn, New York, United States, Kirkland was six when he first sat down at a piano keyboard. After years ...

Marcus Miller William Henry Marcus Miller Jr. (born June 14, 1959) is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer. He has worked with trumpeter Miles Davis, pianist Herbie Hancock, singer Luther Vandross, and saxophonists Wayne Shorter and David Sa ...

, and Joe Ford. Other members of the ensemble included Rasul Siddik,

Branford Marsalis Branford Marsalis (born August 26, 1960) is an American saxophonist, composer, and bandleader. While primarily known for his work in jazz as the leader of the Branford Marsalis Quartet, he also performs frequently as a soloist with classical ens ...

, Avery Sharpe,

Wynton Marsalis Wynton Learson Marsalis (born October 18, 1961) is an American trumpeter, composer, and music instructor, who is currently the artistic director of Jazz at Lincoln Center. He has been active in promoting classical and jazz music, often to young ...

, and Wallace Roney. In 1989, he performed in Charles Mingus'

Epitaph An epitaph (; ) is a short text honoring a deceased person. Strictly speaking, it refers to text that is inscribed on a tombstone or plaque, but it may also be used in a figurative sense. Some epitaphs are specified by the person themselves be ...

. At Jazzmobile from 1994–2002, he was instructor in drums and percussion while also teaching at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia from 1994 to 1996. He was a substitute instructor at

The New School The New School is a Private university, private research university in New York City. It was founded in 1919 as The New School for Social Research with an original mission dedicated to academic freedom and intellectual inquiry and a home for p ...

in New York City from 1992 to 2000. He is producer and artistic director at BlueNoise Studio in Frederick, Maryland. At

Pennsylvania State University The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a Public university, public Commonwealth System of Higher Education, state-related Land-grant university, land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsyl ...

he teaches

hip hop Hip-hop or hip hop (originally disco rap) is a popular music genre that emerged in the early 1970s from the African-American community of New York City. The style is characterized by its synthesis of a wide range of musical techniques. Hip- ...

and culture, African- and African-American studies, and Integrative Arts.

Discography

As leader/co-leader

* ''Third Kind of Blue'' (Minor Music, 1986) * '' Four Play'' ( DIW, 1990) with

Clifford Jordan Clifford Laconia Jordan (September 2, 1931 – March 27, 1993) was an American jazz tenor saxophone player and composer. Originally from Chicago, Jordan later moved to New York City, where he recorded extensively in addition to touring across ...

, James Williams and Richard Davis * ''Shuttle'' (Sound Hills, 1993) with

, Cyrus Chestnut * ''Invitation'' ( Candid, 2000) * ''Just Natural'' (

West Wind A west wind is a wind that originates in the west and blows in an eastward direction. Mythology and literature In European tradition, it has usually been considered the mildest and most favorable of the directional winds. In ancient Greek ...

, 2001) * ''In It'' (RoBurrage, 2004) * ''Bluenoise'' (

CD Baby CD Baby, Inc. is a Portland, Oregon based online distributor of independent music. The company was described as an "anti-label" by its parent company's Chief Operating Officer Tracy Maddux. It was established in 1998 and offered distribution fo ...

, 2010)

As co-leader

* ''The Young Lions,'' Live at the Kool Jazz Festival 1982 (Elektra Musician, 1983) * ''Third Kind of Blue,'' Trio w/John Purcell and Anthony Cox (Minor Music, 1985) * Abstract Truth (w/ John Purcell, Harry Pepl, Kenny Davis, Paul Zauner) - ''Beginnings'' ( Amadeo, 1994) * Paul Zauner, Jean-Paul Bourelly, Harry Sokal,

Lonnie Plaxico Lonnie Plaxico (born September 4, 1960) is an American jazz double bassist. Biography Plaxico was born in Chicago, into a musical family, and started playing the bass at the age of twelve, turning professional at fourteen (playing both double ba ...

- ''Mag Five'' (PAO, 1998)

As sideman

With Ray Anderson *'' It Just So Happens'' (Enja, 1987) With

* ''The Clarinet Family'' (

Black Saint Black Saint and Soul Note are two affiliated Italy, Italian independent record labels. Since their conception in the 1970s, they have released albums from a variety of influential jazz musicians, particularly in the genre of free jazz. History ...

, 1987) * ''Bluiett's Barbecue Band'' ( Mapleshade, 1996) * Bluiett Baritone Nation - ''Libation for the Baritone Saxophone Nation'' (Justin Time, 1998) * Bluiett Baritone Saxophone Group - ''Live at the Knitting Factory'' (Knitting Factory, 1998) With

* ''Invitation'' ( Why Not, 1987) * ''

Four in One 4 (four) is a number, numeral and digit. It is the natural number following 3 and preceding 5. It is a square number, the smallest semiprime and composite number, and is considered unlucky in many East Asian cultures. Evolution of the Hi ...

'' (Blue Note, 1994) * '' A Better Understanding'' (Blue Note, 1995) * ''In the Spirit of John Coltrane'' ( Shanachie, 1999) With Joe Locke * ''Present Tense'' ( Steeplechase, 1989) * ''Etch a Sketch'' (Steeplechase, 1991) With Teruo Nakamura * ''Live at Carnegie Hall'' (Agharta, 1979) * ''Big Apple'' (Agharta, 1980) * ''Route 80'' (Agharta, 1985) With Daniel Schnyder * ''The City'' ( Enja, 1988) * ''Decoding the Message'' (Enja, 1989) With Avery Sharpe * ''Unspoken Words'' ( Sunnyside, 1988) * ''Extended Family'' (JPNM, 1993) With Jarek Smietana * ''Ballads and Other Songs'' (Starling, 1994) * ''You Never Know'' (Power Bros., 1997) With

Jack Walrath Jack Arthur Walrath (born May 5, 1946) is an American post-bop jazz trumpeter and musical arranger known for his work with Ray Charles, Gary Peacock, Charles Mingus, and Glenn Ferris, among others. Biography Walrath was born in Stuart, Florida. ...

* '' Master of Suspense'' (Blue Note, 1987) * ''

Neohippus ''Neohippus'' is an album by trumpeter Jack Walrath which was recorded in 1988 and released on the revamped Blue Note Records, Blue Note label.

'' (Blue Note, 1988) * ''

Out of the Tradition ''Out of the Tradition'' is an album by trumpeter Jack Walrath which was recorded in 1990 and released on the Muse label in 1992.992 Year 992 ( CMXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Worldwide * Winter – A superflare from the sun causes an Aurora Borealis, with visibility as far south as Germany and Korea. Euro ...

* '' Gut Feelings'' (Muse, 1990

992 Year 992 ( CMXCII) was a leap year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar. Events By place Worldwide * Winter – A superflare from the sun causes an Aurora Borealis, with visibility as far south as Germany and Korea. Euro ...

With World Saxophone Quartet * '' Breath of Life'' (Elektra Musician/Nonesuch, 1992) * '' Takin' It 2 the Next Level'' (Justin Time, 1996) With others *

Ahmed Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah (born Leroy Bland; May 10, 1946) is an American jazz trumpeter who was a prominent member of Sun Ra's band. Biography He began playing the trumpet at age 13 in his native New York City. One of the first groups he performed with wa ...

's Diaspora and Francisco Mora Catlett's AfroHORN - '' Jazz: A Music of the Spirit'' (Amedian, 2019) * Ray Anderson - '' It Just So Happens'' (Enja, 1987) * Billy Bang - '' Bang On!'' (Justin Time, 1997) * Dale Barlow - ''Timeline Observatory'' (The Sessions, 2012) * Kelvyn Bell - ''Kelynator'' (Blue Heron, 1986) * Stanley Cowell Trio (w/

Cecil McBee Cecil McBee (born May 19, 1935) is an American jazz bassist. He has recorded as a leader only a handful of times since the 1970s, but has contributed as a sideman to a number of classic jazz albums. Biography Early life and career McBee was b ...

) - '' Close to You Alone'' (DIW, 1990) * Ronnie Cuber - ''Live with Randy Brecker, Lonnie Smith at the Blue Note'' (Pro Jazz, 1986) * Defunkt - ''Defunkt'' (Hannibal, 1979) * Richard Davis and Friends - ''Live at Sweet Basil's'' (Sweet Basil, 1991) * Santi Debriano - ''Soldiers of Fortune'' (Freelance, 1989) *

Barbara Dennerlein Barbara Dennerlein (born 25 September 1964 in Munich) is a German jazz organist. She has achieved critical acclaim for using the bass pedalboard on a Hammond organ and for integrating synthesizer sounds onto the instrument, and was described by ...

- ''Straight Ahead'' (Enja, 1988) * Kevin Eubanks - ''Guitarist'' (Elektra Musician, 1985) * Chico Freeman - '' Destiny's Dance'' (Contemporary, 1981) * Daved Friedman - ''Shades of Change'' (Enja, 1986) * Mac Gollehon - ''Nostalgia'' (Half Note, 1999) *

Eddie Gomez Eddie may refer to: *Eddie (text editor), a text editor originally for BeOS and now ported to Linux and Mac OS X *Eddie (crater), a crater on Mars *Eddie (given name) *The Eddie, a surfing tournament Arts and entertainment * ''Eddie'' (film), a 1 ...

- ''Live in Moscow'' (B&W, 1993) *

- ''Roland Hanna Plays Gershwin'' (LRC, 1993) *

Julius Hemphill Julius Arthur Hemphill (January 24, 1938 – April 2, 1995) was a jazz composer and saxophone player. He performed mainly on alto saxophone, less often on soprano and tenor saxophones and flute. Biography Hemphill was born in Fort Worth, Texas, ...

- '' Julius Hemphill Big Band'' (Elektra/Musician, 1988) *

John Hicks Sir John Richard Hicks (8 April 1904 – 20 May 1989) was a British economist. He is considered one of the most important and influential economists of the twentieth century. The most familiar of his many contributions in the field of economics ...

- '' Trio + Strings'' (Mapleshade, 1997) * Shunzo Ohno (w/Kenny Kirkland, Marcus Miller a.o.) - ''Antares'' (Electra Bird, 1981) * Eric Person - ''Arrival'' (Soul Note, 1992) *

- ''Modern Day Jazz Story'' (Verve, 1995) * Ed Schuller - ''Snake Dancing'' (Tutu, 1998) *

- ''Out of the Blues'' (GM, 1991) *

Archie Shepp Archie Shepp (born May 24, 1937) is an American jazz saxophonist, educator and playwright who since the 1960s has played a central part in the development of avant-garde jazz. Biography Early life Shepp was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but ...

- ''Gemini'' (Archie Ball, 2007) * Dave Stryker - ''Stryke Zone'' (Steeplechase, 1991) *

- ''Live Montreux-New York Connection'' (Swiss CBS, 1979) * Fred Wesley and

Kenny Garrett Kenny Garrett (born October 9, 1960) is an American post-bop jazz musician and composer who gained recognition in his youth as a member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra and for his time with Miles Davis's band. Garrett's primary instruments are ...

- ''New York Funk'' (Jim Payne, 1992)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Burrage, Ronnie 1959 births Living people American jazz drummers 20th-century American drummers American male drummers 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians Drummers from St. Louis