Christopher Burnett

Christopher Burnett performs his jazz music with Pinnacle Winds in Concert at the First Church of the Nazarene on Sunday, October 11, at 2 PM. It's a Sunday afternoon show, so you'll be out of there well before dinner.

Burnett is a saxophonist with a long history in both military and civilian music. He spent more than 22 years in the U.S. Army Music Program, where he rose to the rank of First Sergeant and served as Enlisted Bandleader. From there, he became Leading Chief Petty Officer and NATO Ceremonial Band Conductor of the NATO Band in Naples, Italy. He was born in Olathe, Kansas, and raised in a military family, and his studies took him through the Armed Forces School of Music, Webster University, Columbia College, Berklee College of Music, and American University.

Since leaving the military, he's spent as much time teaching as he has playing. He directed the jazz ensemble program at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and he's the founder and artistic director of KC Area Youth Jazz. He also co-founded the independent label Artists Recording Collective. On stage, he's performed alongside Bobby Watson, Will Matthews, and Marcus Hampton, and he's held residencies at two of Kansas City's historic jazz spots, the Drum Room and the Black Dolphin.

As a leader, he's put out several albums: Time Flies in 2013, Firebird in 2014, and The Standards, Vol. 1 in 2021. This performance is part of the Pinnacle Winds in Concert series. The church is at 11811 State Line Rd in Kansas City, MO, and the music starts at 2 PM.