Artist description A great guitarist who flourishes without the fuel driven by ego is a rarity, but Carl Burnett is one such player. Carl manages to be on everyone's A-list without the attitude that generally accompanies that realm. A guitarist with a dizzying list of credits who has played and recorded with the likes of Branford Marsalis, Robben Ford, David Sanborn, George Howard and has appeared on the Tonight Show, David Letterman, and The Grammy Awards. Carl’s resume reads like a "Who’s Who" in the music industry, but you won’t hear him bragging about it. True beauty rarely rests in the shadows but Burnett often does. While he is capable of commanding audiences as a solo player, he allows his musicianship to complement and add texture without stealing the limelight. A seasoned player, Burnett plays with the purity of a bird. Each note counts and all moments define the experience. As one guitarist says admiringly of Burnett’s work, "Carl’s playing is like a Japanese haiku that can paint a beautiful picture in just a few notes what would take others a hundred to do." Few guitarists can be described as "Zen-like" and "Hendrixian" in the same sentence, but that's exactly the complexity that defines Carl Burnett. He readily transcends the instrument into a realm of pure worship defining the experience moment to moment, string to string. A virtuoso who can make the leap from a burning jazz solo to an unfettered funk rhythm groove, Burnett’s playing leapfrogs musical styles. Yet Burnett’s true advantage over other players is his ability to listen. The silences are palpable because he knows how to let his instrument breathe and when to speak. It’s a level of musicianship that one rarely witnesses. In the school of guitar, Carl’s lessons came early in life. His grandfather was a guitarist and delighted in singing songs that the boy would later laugh about when he grew into a man. "He sang songs he probably shouldn't have sang to a kid. These songs had lyrics such as "Why get sober when I'll just get drunk again" or "Come on and let me play with your yo-yo and I'll let you play with mine" - I figured he was really just talking about a yo-yo!" His cousins were also musicians so Carl worked at his instrument to keep up with them. The lessons of preparation, joy and collaboration that were instilled in him at an early age continue to serve him in his career. Burnett pays heartfelt respect to the instrument he relies on but thrives in the moments best defined without limitations. The high point of his musical career was playing in Bradford Marsalis' band Buckshot LeFonque "because there were no musical boundaries. You'd think that would make it easy, but you really need to know yourself and your instrument." His drive to know his instrument has resulted in a journey which has taken him all over the world and sharing the stage with a widely disparate group of musicians. Although many players with his accomplishments would be content to end up in a VH-1 "Where Are They Now" special, Burnett’s career continues to gather speed. He can be seen playing in venues with the likes of Robben Ford and recently earned an endorsement by Godin Guitars. He’ll be featured in print ads sponsoring the guitar in several national musical publications. Carl also plans to continue building on the songwriting and production credits he already hosts on his resume. Look to this guitar player to pave the way in his continued quest to learn more from his instrument and the players around him. The divining rod of the guitar will keep pointing him towards his fundamental drive to add "sensibility and groove". If Carl’s in the house that groove is only just beginning.

Music Style Mostly Jazz/funk, some bluesy-rock

Musical Influences Wayne Krantz

Artist History Carl's first solo release, Life Before Midi, was recorded in the spirit of artists getting together and not having to play within a preconceived box. These recordings had no rehearsal, no midi programming, no click track - just 100% live jamming. The players he used for the recording are great friends of his and top notch players: Reggie Hamilton - Bass (Babyface, Christina Aguleria, Boyz II Men, Jon B., Stanley Clarke), Les King - Bass (Tom Jones, Amy Grant, Robben Ford), Pete Maloney - Drums (Dishwalla, Tonic), Jeff Babco - Keys (Robben Ford, Wild Clams, Martin Short Show), Gary Novak - drums (Chick Corea's Electric Band, Alanis Morrisette, Robben Ford), Tony Moore - drums (Gerald Albright, Crusaders, Ronnie Laws), Dave Raven - drums (Robben Ford, Mojo Monkeys), Bill Steinway - Keys (Crusaders, Chaka Khan, Busboys)

Instruments Guitar, Bass, Drums, Keys

Albums Life Before Midi

Press Reviews Life Before Midi is a real musical treat! Check it out.

Location Brooklyn, NY - USA

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