Aron Burton has been hard at work for the past fifty years, securing his place in musical history as a master of the blues, and becoming one of the most sought-after bass players in the business. Born in Senatobia, Mississippi on June 15th 1938, Aron took interest in music at a very young age, where his gospel voice was sought after by many local churches. Among his early accomplishments was the formation of the Victory Travelers with his cousin Ruben Burton, a group that still tours today.
Upon moving north to Chicago in the mid-1950s, Aron quickly gained a reputation as one of the most solid and “in the pocket†bass players in town. Aron was exposed to a variety of different styles of music, including R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Rock, in addition to his Blues and Gospel foundation. It was only a short time before Aron began to be called upon by the masters of the industry, starting in 1956 with Freddie King. Eventually Aron was hired to support such legends as Jimmy Witherspoon, Junior Wells, Big Jack Johnson, Eddy Clearwater, and Billy Boy Arnold.
Perhaps Aron Burton’s biggest claim to fame is that he was a founding member of Albert Collin’s “Ice Breakers,†along with his brother Larry Burton and keyboardist Allen Batts. Aron shared in several Grammy nominations with the band, and soon became a regular session artist at Alligator Records. He can be heard singing and playing on recordings of such legends as James Cotton and Fenton Robinson.
After success as a backing musician Aron finally decided to strike out on his own. He can be found on multiple solo albums recorded with both Earwig Music and Delmark Records in Chicago. These critically acclaimed albums have secured him four W.C. Handy Awards Nominations (’96, ’97, ’98, ’00), as well as numerous other awards. To date Aron has appeared on more than thirty-four recordings, has toured internationally, and has performed at nearly every Chicago Blues Festival since the festival began over twenty-five years ago.
Quotes
“..An experienced group, solid and competent..†–Blues Access
“Burton is one of Chicago's most underrated singers and songwriters -- a situation that this release should do much to correct.†–Living Blues
"Aron Burton worked as a sideman on many classic recordings on the Alligator label as well as a stint with Albert Collins. But Past, Present, & Future isn't a tribute to another artist. It's a full-blown testament to the abilities of Aron Burton.
The recording evolved from three different sessions, with eight selections included from a previously issued European recording. Burton, who holds down the lead vocal and bass chores, composed most of the tunes, all of which are saturated with a hard-edged urban blues feeling.
Past, Present, & Future is an exceptional work by an artist who has been around for a good long time, but never really took center stage. Aron Burton has put together a first-rate collection of gritty blues that should bring him out of the shadows once in a while." Blues Review Quarterly
"Burton is one of Chicago's most underrated singers and songwriters -- a situation that this release should do much to correct." - Living Blues
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.earwigmusic.com
Track List:
1. Been Down
2. Answering Machine Blues
3. Live Like a Beggar
4. Garbage Man
5. Trouble
6. Wayward Blues Boy
7. Southbound Train
8. Rainy Night in Georgia
9. The Highway is Like a Woman
10. Funky Emma
11. Any Day But Today
12. Past, Present, and Future
13. Two Way Street
14. Spirit
Suggested CDs:
Upon moving north to Chicago in the mid-1950s, Aron quickly gained a reputation as one of the most solid and “in the pocket†bass players in town. Aron was exposed to a variety of different styles of music, including R&B, Soul, Jazz, and Rock, in addition to his Blues and Gospel foundation. It was only a short time before Aron began to be called upon by the masters of the industry, starting in 1956 with Freddie King. Eventually Aron was hired to support such legends as Jimmy Witherspoon, Junior Wells, Big Jack Johnson, Eddy Clearwater, and Billy Boy Arnold.
Perhaps Aron Burton’s biggest claim to fame is that he was a founding member of Albert Collin’s “Ice Breakers,†along with his brother Larry Burton and keyboardist Allen Batts. Aron shared in several Grammy nominations with the band, and soon became a regular session artist at Alligator Records. He can be heard singing and playing on recordings of such legends as James Cotton and Fenton Robinson.
After success as a backing musician Aron finally decided to strike out on his own. He can be found on multiple solo albums recorded with both Earwig Music and Delmark Records in Chicago. These critically acclaimed albums have secured him four W.C. Handy Awards Nominations (’96, ’97, ’98, ’00), as well as numerous other awards. To date Aron has appeared on more than thirty-four recordings, has toured internationally, and has performed at nearly every Chicago Blues Festival since the festival began over twenty-five years ago.
Quotes
“..An experienced group, solid and competent..†–Blues Access
“Burton is one of Chicago's most underrated singers and songwriters -- a situation that this release should do much to correct.†–Living Blues
"Aron Burton worked as a sideman on many classic recordings on the Alligator label as well as a stint with Albert Collins. But Past, Present, & Future isn't a tribute to another artist. It's a full-blown testament to the abilities of Aron Burton.
The recording evolved from three different sessions, with eight selections included from a previously issued European recording. Burton, who holds down the lead vocal and bass chores, composed most of the tunes, all of which are saturated with a hard-edged urban blues feeling.
Past, Present, & Future is an exceptional work by an artist who has been around for a good long time, but never really took center stage. Aron Burton has put together a first-rate collection of gritty blues that should bring him out of the shadows once in a while." Blues Review Quarterly
"Burton is one of Chicago's most underrated singers and songwriters -- a situation that this release should do much to correct." - Living Blues
Check out the artist's website:
http://www.earwigmusic.com
Track List:
1. Been Down
2. Answering Machine Blues
3. Live Like a Beggar
4. Garbage Man
5. Trouble
6. Wayward Blues Boy
7. Southbound Train
8. Rainy Night in Georgia
9. The Highway is Like a Woman
10. Funky Emma
11. Any Day But Today
12. Past, Present, and Future
13. Two Way Street
14. Spirit
Suggested CDs:
- Liz Mandville Greeson
- Johnny Yard Dog Jones
- Johnny Drummer
- Big Jack Johnson
- Lil Ed and Dave Weld
- H-Bomb Ferguson
- Jimmy Dawkins
- BLUES: Chicago Style
- BLUES: Electric Blues
- FEATURING BASS