Well, here it is folks, the page you've all been waiting for!!! Contained here are MP3's of (mostly) full length cornet solos performed by Mr. Burke. Many thanks to everyone who contributed sound files included here.
Please note that the user must turn off their default media player in order to access this page without all the files playing at once. You can go to your help section to set your media player not to start automatically. The webmaster apologizes for any inconvenience.
O Holy Night, (b/w Bless This House) was recorded by the All-Star Concert Band and released as a limited edition single which was distributed only to friends of Mr. Burke and Mr. Phillips as a Christmas present. A real collectors item!!! Many thanks to Ron Flintjer for providing this recording
It has been said that Rafael Mendez was the greatest trumpet player and James Burke was the greatest cornet soloist. On this page the listener will be treated to a performance of "Jota", composed by Mendez and performed live in concert by James Burke and the Goldman Band. This performance and the subsequent standing ovation should leave the listener thinking "Yes, Mr. Burke was indeed as good a player as Mr. Mendez".
This selection is an excerpt from Robert Russell Bennett's "Armed Forces Suite" (section 5), and once again it demonstrates Mr. Burke's unique sound and style. Guaranteed to bring tears to the eyes of even the toughest battle scarred veteran. This piece was graciously donated by Larry Gray. Thanks Larry!!
"...Paul LaValle was a fine conductor and an excellent showman. His concept of the band and the programming was very good. The rehearsal schedule was as follows: we went in on Monday's at 5 o'clock, ran down the numbers and had dress rehearsal from 7:30 to 8 o'clock. We would then go out to eat and be back at 9:15 to be ready for the show which ran from 9:30 to 10 o'clock. One night about 9:25 Paul came out and said "Listen carefully, we are making a change in the program. On the second number, Jimmy you are going to do a solo "The Bugler" by Goldman. We will play the introduction, there will be no repeats, we'll go to the second endings and cut in half all the tuttis." That was our rehearsal and five minutes later we were on the air." James Burke from an interview conducted by Bill Spilka for the 1982 NY Brass Conference for Scholarships magazine.
This recording of "The Bugler" as performed by James F. Burke with The Goldman Band, Edwin Franco Goldman conducting is from an LP titled " The Edwin Franco Goldman Band: Marches " and was listed on the album sleeve as "Trumpet Special". NOTE:Ths recording was initially thought to be that of The Cities Service Band of America, with Paul LaValle conducting. Many thanks to Eric Goldberg for providing the correction.
This is a live radio broadcast of James F. Burke performing with the Cities Service Band of America in a rendition of Walter B. Rogers' "War Song" (also known as "The Columbian Fantasy").
This is an arrangement of Arban's "Carnival Of Venice," performed by James F. Burke with The Cities Service Band of America under the baton of Paul LaValle.
Widely regarded as James Burke's masterpiece, Danza Allegre is a thrilling and challenging composition in 6/8 time. Marvel as Mr. Burke breezes through the triple tonguing section with perfect articulation and incredible speed. Indeed this is the definative performance of this piece taken from his album The All-Star Concert Band, recorded in one take and dedicated to his sister Rita Turso.
Hocus Polka is another wonderful composition by James F. Burke. Using the traditional theme and variations format, the piece is another incredible demonstration of Mr. Burke's fabulous technique highlighting once again his unbelievable double and triple tonguing. Taken from the album "The Burke - Phillips All-Star Concert Band".
Here is what Mr. Burke described as "the most difficult solo I ever played..."
Arban's "Fantasie Sur Aida", taken from the Decca album "Horn Of Plenty"
Here is Arban's "Fantasie Brilliante", taken from the Decca album "Horn Of Plenty".
In 1951 Leroy Anderson and his orchestra went into the studio
and recorded "Bugler's Holiday" for the Decca label. The trumpet
trio on that recording was James Burke, Raymond Crisara and John Ware.
They did seven takes, each one faster than the previous one. It is unknown
which take was used for this, widely regarded as the definitive recording.
"We customarily associate the trumpet with reveille, the Army's blasting wake up call, but Leroy Anderson tamed the instrument into singing a lullaby! Cushioned upon a beautiful stringed background, the trumpet croons an infectious slumber song. The solo is, of course, virtuoso stuff and properly up - front, but notice also the lovely music also assigned to the string orchestra counterpointing the soloist. The latter is the distinguished James Burke who tossed off the very difficult part with such aplomb and elan that the members of the orchestra - not to mention the pleased conductor-composer - applauded him at the finish of the piece." Liner notes from the album "Leroy Anderson Conducts His Music" written by Edward Jablonski.
Many thanks to David Mascitelli for the digital recording!