Words of Wisdom From Big Joe Burrell (GC3)

Someone asked me recently if I knew why it was that there were fewer women than men in the music business. In the old days, it was chauvinism. And it was a matter of who would hang in there. I remember Mary Lou Williams, a noted composer and arranger who played with a group called the Andy Kirk Band, and Mary McFarlan from England, a piano player…they could gold their own. But the average woman was intimidated. Women are showing their authority a little more these days. But there are women I remember who were able to be strong years ago, too. In fact, there used to be a girl who would come and watch me all the time and then leave. One night I walked to her. It turned out she was as strong a tenor sax player as I was and just liked the way I played. Her name was Willemena Barton. She played in nightclubs with the “Sweethearts of Rhythm” during World War II. Another tenor sax player I knew of was Evelyn Young. She played with B.B. King. Now, B.B. King ran a good ship. He respected the women that got on that bus. And he made sure they got the respect they should. Like I said, there were also those who could hold up to the wrath of male musicians. As for local jazz artists that I am aware of: Ellem Powell has come a long way since I met her… Jenny Johnson is very nice and she’s got a good selling point: she’s sure of herself and she sells what she’s got. Self confidence is very important to any musician. When I get on stage, I take command of the stage and sell myself. You can’t appear timid because the audience will notice right away. Generally, when I used to work in the clubs, the first thing I would do is talk to the boss so we could learn all the rules of the club. I would say “The bar’s mot mine. The club’s not mine. But the stage is mine.” I would tell them “If you have something to say about one of my musicians, take me into the office and tell me. But the stage is mine.” This is part of being confident, on or off the stage. Other women musicians who show great confidence on stage are Sandra Wright, who is a very good blues musician, and Christine Adler. I call her the ‘little lady with the great big voice.’ I’d like to see more female musicians come out and perform. So, the idea is, when you hit the stage - and it’s time to get your song or act out there to the audience - you put your whole self into it. Of course, it helps to have a good band behind you. If you’re in a situation with different bands all the time, you’ve got to adjust all the time because you don’t always know what the other guys are going to do. The point is: always be yourself. You don’t need to be afraid or get discouraged. In fact, don’t let anything discourage you. There’s always going to be someone someplace who doesn’t like your style. So, when that happens, just move on. Of course, you need to stay off your ego trip. If people don't want to play with you or your bands are always falling apart, stop and listen to what people are saying. Attitude is important, as I wrote in the last issue. You can’t Lord over people. True self-confidence is not an ego trip. It’s just something you are when you’re being your whole self. Just stay off your ego trip. Sooner or later you’ll find your niche…Somebody will like you. So, hang in there. Keep swinging Burlington.

Big Joe Burrell plays sax and sings with Big Joe Burrell and the Unknown Blues Band. They have two CD’s available: “Live at Hunts” and “Every time I Hear That Mellow Saxophone”.