‘A mentor and dear friend’: Australian jazz legend Don Burrows has died aged 91

Tributes are flowing for Don Burrows as Australia’s jazz community mourns the death of the clarinet-playing, debonair music master.

Don Burrows lived an extraordinary life. Picture: News Corp Australia

Australian musical treasure Don Burrows died peacefully on Thursday night at the age of 91.

The revered musician brought jazz music to mainstream Australian audiences during the 60s and 70s via his television show The Don Burrows Collection and was a mentor to dozens of Australian artists including James Morrison.

He thrilled audiences with his clarinet pieces and was also adept on the flute and saxophone.

“He touched so many lives and inspired generations of musicians and audiences alike,

with his unbridled passion and a determination to spread the joy he felt when playing the

music he loved so much,” Morrison said on Friday.

Jazz legend Don Burrows, pictured in 2002, is being remembered as an Australian music legend. Picture: Supplied.

Don Burrows and a furry friend. Picture: News Corp Australia

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“Like many others, I was privileged to have him as a mentor and dear friend. I will

always carry with me the way he looked when he played – a smile that said he was

doing what he loved and a glint in his eye that meant he couldn’t believe his luck to be a

jazz musician.”

“He had many great sayings but one struck me the most; ‘You’re only as good as the

company you keep’, and in his company, I’ve been my best.”

A celebrated life for Don Burrows.

“Don achieved so many things and received so many accolades – but I know the only

thing that really mattered to him was to pass on his gift and leave the world a little bit

better place … rest easy mate, job done.”

Burrows was inducted to the ARIA Hall of Hame in 1991 and was named one of Australia’s Living Treasures in 1989 and 1999.

Burrows, who was renowned for his clarinet playing, had been suffering from dementia in recent years but astounded doctors by still being able to play the flute before his health deteriorated.

Originally published as ‘A mentor and dear friend’: Australian jazz legend Don Burrows has died aged 91