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Jazz Studies Program Director Kenny Burrell demonstrates a piece of music for the students in his

Receiving a 2005 National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Award isn’t something most people would be modest about – but Kenny Burrell, director of the Jazz Studies Program at UCLA, certainly is.

The Jazz Masters Award is the highest honor people can receive for their contributions to the promotion and advancement of the American genre of jazz music. Recipients receive national recognition among their musical colleagues at an awards ceremony and concert and are provided with a one-time fellowship of $25,000. The American public chooses the nominees, and then a panel selects the winner.

While Burrell was excited and honored to receive such an award and to be in such prestigious company, he felt mixed emotions upon receiving it because past musicians who are worthy of such an award passed away before the award was established.

“Legendary musicians such as Louie Armstrong have also made major contributions to jazz but didn’t receive the award and should so that people can look back on the awards and know about all the important contributors of the genre,” said Burrell.

Steve Loza, professor of ethnomusicology and a colleague of Burrell’s for nearly 30 years, is happy to see that Burrell has received the award.

“He is highly deserving of it,” Loza said. “I sat on the Jazz Masters selection panel some years ago, and I am surprised it took this long. ... But the best (is saved) for last.”

Burrell was born into a musical family and became seriously interested in jazz when he was a teenager and began playing semi-professionally. But it was not until his sophomore year at Wayne State University in Detroit that he finally decided to devote his professional life to music even though he knew that succeeding in the music industry would be very difficult. He said he considered studying law but ultimately decided to pursue a career in music .

“Music was really where my heart was, my passion was,” Burrell said. “I’m glad I chose music because it’s paid off.”

Burrell has had a very fruitful career, having traveled the world and collaborated with many top artists and musicians such as the great jazz singer Billie Holiday, Motown legends Quincy Jones and Aretha Franklin, and Rat Pack member Frank Sinatra just to name a few. Burrell also wrote the 1998 Grammy Award-winning CD “Dear Ella.”

Burrell’s lifetime has been filled with some many wonderful experiences that picking a favorite is out of the question.

“I have enjoyed so many parts of my career that I simply cannot just choose one,” said Burrell.

Burrell came to UCLA in 1978 after being asked to teach a course on jazz part time. In 1996, he was then asked to become a full-time professor and the first director of the new Jazz Studies Program.

As an advocate for the awareness of jazz, he has also created a support group on the UCLA campus called Friends of Jazz. The function of this group is to expand the Jazz Studies Program by adding more outstanding faculty, support for its students and more concerts and seminars about the history of jazz.

Tim Rice, professor of ethnomusicology, said Burrell is determined to have the best possible jazz program he can for the students.

“He has a very clear vision of the kind of training young students need to succeed in today’s jazz world,” he said.

As a professor, Burrell strives to educate his students on the importance of jazz by encouraging their creativity. He is happy to pass on his knowledge with fellow jazz enthusiasts any way he can.

Brent Canter, a first-year ethnomusicology student, chose to attend UCLA for the sole reason of studying under the accomplished Burrell because he knew he would be learning from one of the best musicians in the jazz community.

Eli Sundelson, also a first-year ethnomusicology student, says he is privileged to study under Burrell because he has grown up listening to many of his recordings.

“It’s exiting to study with someone you’ve admired and have been listening to for such a long time,” Sundelson said.