Kenny Burrell was born on July 31st, 1931 in Detroit.  He began playing guitar at the age of 12 and his influences include Charlie Christian , Django Reinhardt , and Wes Montgomery . While a student at Wayne State University , he made his debut recording as a member of Dizzy Gillespie's sextet in 1951. After graduating in 1955, he toured with Oscar Peterson. 
  Burrell has recorded as a leader on almost 40 albums and as a sideman he has played on over  200 albums. Kenny has recorded with such greats as John Coltrane , Gil Evans, Stan Getz, Billie Holiday, Milt Jackson , Quincy Jones, Thad Jones, Yusef Lateef, Hubert Laws, Herbie Mann, Sonny Rollins , Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Smith , and Stanley Turrentine .
  Currently, . Burrell lives in LA and along with continued performing and recording, teaches a course called "Ellingtonia", which examines the life and accomplishments of Duke Ellington.