Personal Narrative Manuscript/Mixed Material Photo, Print, Drawing Audio Recording Charles E. Burrell Collection
Veterans History Project Service Summary:
- War or Conflict: World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Company 921, Camp Robert Small
- Location of Service: Chicago, Illinois
- Highest Rank: Musician First Class
- Collection Number: AFC/2001/001/21086
Though he was a musician prior to his entrance into the Navy during World War II-he attended Detroit's Cass Tech High School, well known for its arts curriculum-Charles E. Burrell's career in music is inextricably connected to his time in the service. As a band member at Camp Robert Smalls, a segregated training facility within Naval Station Great Lakes, his proximity to Chicago offered him the chance to meet and play with some of the era's most legendary jazz musicians. After the war, he attended Wayne State University using the GI Bill, and later, became the first African American to play with the San Francisco symphony.
Charles E. Burrell Collection
Interview / Recording
Share
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PlayGetting his start in the ship's company band; playing tuba; previous experiences in the marching band. 00:06:48.0 - 00:08:31.0
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PlayExperiences in Chicago; studying with bass with notable musician Rudolph Fassbender; going to big jazz clubs. 00:10:22.0 - 00:14:13.0
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PlayPlaying "happy hour" concerts for the whole camp; encountering famous musicians; meeting Billie Holiday; extreme reaction when she winked at him. 00:16:31.0 - 00:20:08.0
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PlayGoing to Wayne State University on the GI Bill; gratitude for GI Bill. 00:31:29.0 - 00:32:51.0
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PlayBecoming the first African American to play with the San Francisco Symphony. 00:42:50.0 - 00:44:47.0
About this Item
Title
- Charles E. Burrell Collection
Names
- Priest, Nelson
- Duman, Audrey
- AARP, Colorado
- Burrell, Charles E.
Home State
- Colorado
Headings
- - Burrell, Charles E.
- - World War, 1939-1945 -- Personal Narratives
- - United States. Navy.
Repository
- Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Gender
- Male
Race
- Black or African American
Status
- veteran
Service History
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World War, 1939-1945
- Branch of Service: Navy
- Unit of Service: Company 921, Camp Robert Small
- Location of Service: Chicago, Illinois
- Highest Rank: Musician First Class
- Dates of Service: 1942-1945
- Entrance into Service: Enlisted
- Military Status: veteran
Materials
- Audio: Audio Cassette [1 item] -- Oral history interview (collected 2004-05-01)
- Photograph: Mixed (Multiple types of photographs) [5 items] -- Photograph (collected unknown)
Collection Number
- AFC/2001/001/21086
Cite as
- Charles E. Burrell Collection (AFC/2001/001/21086), Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Online Format
- audio