Scott Burns

Alto Saxophone | Chicago, IL

Ohio native Scott Burns has been a fixture on the Chicago jazz scene since his arrival in 1998, where he can be heard performing as a leader of his own groups and as a sideman in leading jazz venues in the region. He has performed alongside several international jazz artists, including McCoy Tyner, Ahmad Jamal, Kenny Barron, Benny Green, Monty Alexander, Joshua Redman, Clark Terry, Ira Sullivan, Tom Harrell, Kenny Werner, Nicholas Payton, Roy Hargove, Wycliffe Gordon, Tony Bennett, Rene Marie, Kurt Elling and Harry Connick Jr. Mr. Burns has performed across the nation at numerous major festivals and venues including the JVC Jazz Fest, the Newport Jazz Fest, the Chicago Jazz Festival, Chicago’s Symphony Center, Ravinia Festival, and the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. His work has been featured on over 35 recordings. His record Passages, released on Origin Records and featuring his original compositions, has received widespread critical acclaim. Critic Scott Yanow writes: “Scott Burns, who has a pretty original sound...plenty of energy and creative ideas within the modern mainstream of jazz, seems destined to become a major force in jazz."

 In addition to performing, Mr. Burns is also a dedicated and in-demand educator. He is currently a Professor of Jazz Studies at DePaul University, having formerly taught at Loyola University Chicago, North Park University and Columbia College Chicago. Since 2013, he has served as a faculty tenor and alto saxophonist and Assistant Program Director at Birch Creek Music Performance Center’s summer jazz academy. Mr. Burns has been a guest clinician and soloist at numerous high schools, and universities across the nation.

Website: scottburnsjazz.com