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David Burrell, son of Kenny Burrell, dead at 49

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Dear Jazz Colleagues:

We are sad to inform you that David Burrell, a dedicated lifelong member of the jazz community, passed away on Friday, October 27, 2006 due to complications from Crohn's disease. He was 49 years old.

Burrell grew up in New York and was exposed to jazz from a very young age by going to clubs and sessions with his father, the legendary guitarist Kenny Burrell. He naturally gravitated towards a career in the entertainment business.

After graduating from Hunter College, David worked on a Japanese morning TV program in New York called “Ohayo New York," as a Production Assistant. The show was broadcast from City Hall and aired in Tokyo, Japan.

He later produced a weekly jazz television show called “Perspectives in Jazz" for cable television. Hosted by Kenny Burrell and other prominent jazz artists, the show interviewed jazz artists from around the world.

In 1984, he founded Tropix International as solely a music management firm. Two years later, along with wife and business partner Robin Tomchin, Tropix expanded operations to include booking as well as album and concert production. Clients over the years have included Akiko Yano, Stanley Jordan, George Howard, Toninho Horta, Cesar Camrgo Marino, Marcio Montarryos, Bireli Lagrene, Danilo Perez, Mike Stern, Jack DeJohnette, and Kenny Burrell among others.

In 1998, Burrell and Tomchin parted ways as Burrell moved his operations to Southern California and retained all clients except Perez. The Venice-based Burrell Management handled trumpeter Sean Jones, saxophonist Ron Blake, and vocalist Ilona Knopfler.

Burrell is survived by his father Kenny Burrell, his mother Lora, step-mother Theresa Del Pozzo, sisters Maya and Jocelyn, brothers Kenny Jr. and Edward, nieces Asia, India, and Ella, and nephew Lucas.

The family will hold a private service in Los Angeles on Friday, November 10. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no public ceremony in New York. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made out to:

The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
386 Park Avenue South
17th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 1-800-932-2423

For more information contact .

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