BURLINGTON December 12, 2022: Two artifacts representing Vermont’s performing arts will be exhibited at the Vermont State House from December 12 through January, 2023: A saxophone belonging to blues legend Big Joe Burrell, and a commemorative quilt signed by generations of UVM Lane Series artists commemorating the series’ first 50 years. Both are described in detail, below.

The exhibit is presented by Big Heavy World, Vermont’s independent, volunteer-staffed music development office and curator of The Tiny Museum of Vermont Music History, located in Burlington. Housed in a historic industrial building on the corner of Howard and Pine Streets, Big Heavy World operates the museum along with an archive of approximately 5,000 original recordings by Vermonters; a community radio station; and many ongoing and special projects that support a mission of preserving and promoting Vermont’s original music.

There is no cost to visit the Vermont State House, located at 115 State Street in Montpelier and open to the public Monday through Friday from 7:45a.m. to 4:15p.m. Accessibility information including a map to accessible parking spaces can be found at https://statehouse.vermont.gov/general-information

*Image: Essex High School student Marcino Ambris views the new mobile Big Joe Burrell saxophone exhibit. Photo by Lafoi Faith Awotho/Big Heavy World. Download high resolution version at* *https://bigheavyworld.com/press-images*.

Big Joe Burrell’s 1942 King Zephyr Alto Saxophone

In 2021 three saxophones belonging to Big Joe Burrell returned to Vermont. Through generous gifts of Todd R. Lockwood, Vermont Humanities and Burlington’s Racial Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Office as well as the kindness of Big Joe’s nephew Dr. Leon Burrell, the instruments were purchased to become public cultural treasures. Burrell’s 1942 King Zephyr alto saxophone — with his name engraved in the instrument bell — will be on display at the State House through January. Reuben Jackson — a poet, music historian and radio personality — produced written and audio interpretive materials to accompany the mobile exhibits.

Big Joe Burrell passed away in 2005 after a lengthy career in music of which almost thirty years were lived in Burlington. Burrell’s February 6, 2005 obituary in the Burlington Free Press described his life: “Big Joe was born during the big band era, February 9, 1924, in Port Huron, Michigan. His interest in music began in the 1930s after hearing big bands like Count Basie and Jimmie Lunceford. Joe served three years in the Army playing with the Harlem and Cadence Army Show Band throughout Italy, North Africa and the Philippines. When he returned to civilian life, he honed his techniques in Detroit and Toledo clubs. Joe later joined the B.B. King Orchestra. An encounter with Count Basie led to a gig in the Count’s Club in New York City. Joe formed his own band ‘The Burning Flames’ and played back-up to The Miller Sisters for several years. He moved on to Toronto, Canada, joining ‘The Hot Toddies,’ led by Big John Little. During the rock’n’roll era, they traveled and entertained all over the eastern provinces. Offered a gig with the Charlie Duncan Organ Trio playing in Burlington, Joe returned to the states. In 1976, he learned that his nephew lived in Burlington and decided to stay. He played with a popular local band ‘Just Jazz.’ Eventually, he and Paul Asbell (the leader of Kilimanjaro), formed ‘The Unknown Blues Band: featuring Big Joe Burrell,’ becoming one of the premier bands in Vermont until officially disbanding in 2002. Big Joe Burrell died peacefully at age 80, February 2, 2005.”

The State House saxophone exhibit is freely available to school libraries, public libraries, historical societies and museums for short-term, no cost loan through 2023 and beyond. Email Bgi Heavy World for more information.

The George Bishop Lane Series Quilt

The George Bishop Lane Series was established in 1954 and inaugurated in 1955 at the University of Vermont as a memorial to George Bishop Lane, Class of 1883 and founder of the Vermont Cynic. An endowment of more than $300,000 provided by his widow, Nellie Lane, and daughter-in-law, Florence Barbour, launched the series, intended to present performances by nationally and internationally known artists in the world of music, dance, and theater.

The commemorative quilt and two matching pillows were commissioned by the Lane Series Special Events Committee. It was begun in 1996 and completed in January, 2000 by the Quilters By The Lake for the Lane Series, sewn by volunteering experts Aileen Chutter, Linda Gross, Barbara Moore, Pam MacPherson, Kim Kane, Valorie Pruitt, Elsie Smith, and Barbara W. Werle. The floral fabrics were reproductions from an historic quilt in the Shelburne Museum quilt collection. The quilt was raffled as a fundraiser on October 14, 2000, during the Lane Series presentation of Aquila Theatre of New York and London’s ‘The Tempest’ at the Flynn Theatre. Proceeds created a revolving ‘Quilt Concert’ fund.

Artist signatures found on the quilt include the Juilliard String Quartet, Arthur Winograd, Robert Mann, Isadore Cohen, Anna Russell, Beverly Sills, Julius Rudel, Roberta Peters, Philippe Entrement, Frederic Chiu, Clair Bloom, Evelyn Glennie, Sir Colin Davis, Leontyne Price, Angela Cheng, Vladimir Feltsman, Peter Serkin, Richard Stoltzman, Ruth Laredo, Doc Watson, Blanche Moyse, Andre Previn, Frederica von Stade, Daniel Heifetz, Robert Merrill, Sir Georg Solti, Christopher Parkening, Vladimir Askhenazy, Odetta, Pete Seeger, Van Cliburn, Joan Baez, Milt Jackson, Percy Heath, John Lewis, Albert "Tootie" Heath, Bill Cosby, Judy Collins, Marcel Marceau, Misha Dichter, Raphael Trio, Charles Castleman, Susan Saim, Daniel Epstein, Christopher Hogwood, Yo Yo Ma, James Galway, Wynton Marsalis, Chuck Mangione, Emanuel Ax, Eliahu Inbal, Pinchas Zukerman, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Sherrill Milnes, Edward Villella, Jean-Pierre Rampal, Murray Parahia, Paula Robinson B.B. King, and Anton Kuerti.

The kindness of Christine Hadsel and support from Vermont Humanities made acquisition and display of the quilt possible. See the quilt up close virtually at https://bigheavyworld.com/museum-labels/2022/4/4/lanequilt

Natalie Neuert, Director, UVM Lane Series, said, “This quilt shows the depth and breadth of programming that the Lane Series has brought to our state since our founding. When Mrs. Nellie Lane wanted to honor her husband, George Bishop Lane, with a gift to his alma mater, she had three suggestions: a reading room in the library, an organ for Ira Allen Chapel, and a concert series. As the quilt attests, the Lane Series has always been a force in the world of live performance, and we never saw our location as being on the very edge of the Northern United States as a deterrent to bringing great performers here. We hope you’ll enjoy seeing the quilt and celebrating our rich history and exciting future to come.”

James Lockridge, Executive Director of Big Heavy World, said, “Big Joe Burrell, who traveled the world as a performer, and the Lane Series quilt, illuminate Vermont’s status as a cultural crossroads and the wide-reaching appreciation Vermonters have for the performing arts. Lane Series volunteers crafted a singular expression of Vermont’s appreciation for these many artists and art forms — an appreciation that continues to this day.”

About Big Heavy World: Founded in 1996, Big Heavy World has leveraged a technology-heavy D.I.Y. ethic and inclusive philosophy to support musicians and advance the music sector, preserve Vermont’s music legacy, and empower young adults in an environment that focuses their passions and intellect. The organization was selected by an international jury to receive the 2020 Music Cities ‘Best Global Music Office Award.’ Learn more at bigheavyworld.com.

For more information:

James Lockridge, Big Heavy World, jim@bigheavyworld.com, (802) 373-2890; bigheavyworld.com.

Natalie Neuert, UVM George Bishop Lane Series, Natalie.Neuert@uvm.edu, (802) 656-4455, uvm.edu/laneseries

Download high resolution images at https://bigheavyworld.com/press-images

VT Music Museum Artifacts to be Exhibited at Vermont State House

Big Joe Burrell’s 1942 King Zephyr Alto Saxophone

The George Bishop Lane Series Quilt