Vinnie Burke

Pcocobass · #1 07-25-2005, 07:27 PM

Anyone hip to Vinnie Burke? I have one record called "Bass by Pettiford/Burke." It features Burke's band and OP's band (each for one side of the original LP). I'd like to get more info and recordings of Vinnie - he's killin'. Any suggestions on recordings or websites to check out? I know he did some stuff with Tal Farlow...

Mark Carlsen · #2 07-25-2005, 09:57 PM

The stuff w. Tal Farlow is the best place to start.I guess at some point Vinnie lost a finger on his right hand working a day job in a factory.He also may be the first jazz cat to use Metal strings .Check out his tone.Very metalic for the late 50;s /early 60's.

Paul Warburton · #3 07-26-2005, 06:55 AM

I used to get Vinnie and Harry Babasin confused.
Did Vinnie play some jazz cello too? I know Harry did. Was it Harry or Vinnie that had the "Jazz Pickers"?
They were kinda in the same time period and both were West Coasters right?
I know we have a Harry Babasin thread going right know.
I didn't know about the loss of the finger......you learn just about everything you need to know on TBDB!

Pcocobass · #4 07-26-2005, 07:47 AM

I heard that Vinnie had lost a finger and I think he was originally a guitarist. I think he lived in Jersey.

Ed Fuqua · #5 07-26-2005, 08:37 AM

Up until recently, yeah. He passed in Feb. 2002.
My favorite Vinnie Burke story - he had a duo gig (Hickory House?) with theory maven/ pianist Jon Mehegan. Apparently Mehegan was an inveterate rusher, EVERYTHING would pick up and Vinnie was getting tired of holding the fort. So one night he decided to "go with the flow"; every time Mehegan would push the tempo, Vinnie would push it even more. By the time they got to the head out, it's getting too fast for Mehegan to play so he turns over his shoulder and hisses sternly "You're rushing!" To which Vinnie, with a huge grin plasetered on his face, replies, "Yeah. How do you like it?"

**Francois Blais** · #6 07-26-2005, 10:23 AM

Here's the bio excerpt I have:

The loss of a finger altered the direction of Vinnie Burke's career. A onetime violinist and guitarist, an injury he suffered during World War II forced him to shift to bass. He worked with Joe Mooney and Tony Scott, then played with pianist Cy Coleman for three years.
He spent a brief period with The Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, then played with Marian McPartland, recording with her in 1953. He led his own bands after that into the '80s.
These were mainly small combos which would work with top jazz players. Burke also made solo dates, and sessions with John Mehegn, Chris Connor, Eddie Costa, Tal Farlow, Don Elliott and Gil Melle, as well as Vic Dickenson, Bucky Pizzarelli, Mat Mathews and Bobby Hackett.
~ Ron Wynn, All Music Guide

Michael Glynn · #7 07-29-2005, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Carlsen

The stuff w. Tal Farlow is the best place to start.I guess at some point Vinnie lost a finger on his right hand working a day job in a factory.He also may be the first jazz cat to use Metal strings .Check out his tone.Very metalic for the late 50;s /early 60's.

+1

Try "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow" -- cool album with some great bass solos. It's a trio with Eddie Costa on piano.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Warburton

I used to get Vinnie and Harry Babasin confused.
Did Vinnie play some jazz cello too? I know Harry did. Was it Harry or Vinnie that had the "Jazz Pickers"?

Vinnie's tone on bass always reminds me of Harry's (and OP's) cello tone. It sounds like jazz cello tuned down. Something about that metallic twang.

Pcocobass · #8 07-29-2005, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Glynn

+1

Try "The Swinging Guitar of Tal Farlow" -- cool album with some great bass solos. It's a trio with Eddie Costa on piano.

Vinnie's tone on bass always reminds me of Harry's (and OP's) cello tone. It sounds like jazz cello tuned down. Something about that metallic twang.

Mike, now that you mention it...I think I've heard that album. Thanks for reminding me. I'm definately gonna pick it up...

I also like your assessment of his tone - that's a good analogy.

STRONGBOW · #9 08-29-2005, 12:28 PM

I always dug Vinnie Burke because his solos always sounded VERY much like Wilbur Ware, whose solos always killed me. I often wondered whether Vinnie Burke was trying to emulate Wilbur. In a blindfoldtest he might be mistaken for Ware....