Mick Burns (17th Feb 1942 - 13th Feb 2007)

It is with great sadness that we have to announce that Mick Burns, our spokesman for the NOrMAL Appeal, has passed away.

Mick Burns was a jazz writer, broadcaster and musician and an exceptional master of the trombone and tuba. The Mississippi Rag wrote that “The trombone of Mick Burns shines with confidence and swings like mad”.

Mick performed at festivals and in clubs throughout Europe and the USA. He produced and contributed to radio programmes in many countries, but especially in New Orleans. He performed professionally with Champion Jack Dupree, Benny Waters, Little Brother Montgomery, The Olympia Brass Band, Greg Stafford, Milton Batiste, Orange Kellin, Tuba Fats, Linda Young, Leroy Jones and Big Al Carson, to name but a few. He recorded with Milton Batiste, Tuba Fats, Linda Young and Big Al. He created radio documentaries in New Orleans on Milton Batiste, Harold Dejan and Tuba Fats.

Mick had written articles and reviews for a variety of Jazz publications and penned two definitive works on the culture, musical heritage and innovation of New Orleans brass band music through the words of the musicians who made and make it happen:

‘The Great Olympia Band’ (jazzology press 2001)

and

‘Keeping The Beat On The Street'

- both of which received great critical acclaim.

For further information on the works of Mick Burns, please visit his website:
www.mickburns.co.uk