What makes In Concert by Dave Burrell notable?

This album is notable for its innovative blend of free jazz elements with traditional structures, reflecting the broader evolution in the genre during the mid-1970s. It received positive critical reception, with particular praise from jazz critics who recognized Burrell's significant contribution to the jazz landscape alongside contemporaries like David Murray. In Concert was released in 1975, during a prolific period for Dave Burrell following his earlier work alongside prominent figures like Archie Shepp. This album showcases Burrell's growth as a bandleader and composer, as he began to carve out his own distinct sound within the post-bop jazz scene.

Who is In Concert for?

In Concert works well if you're into intense emotional improvisation moments, long tracks for deep immersion and live performance energy captured.

How many songs are on In Concert?

In Concert has 5 tracks, running approximately 51 minutes.

In Concert

Dave Burrell

51 min · 5 tracks · jazz

A vibrant fusion of avant-garde improvisation and soulful melodies, capturing the essence of live jazz performance.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Punaluu Peter — The opening track sets the stage with its intricate rhythmic patterns and expansive improvisation, showcasing Burrell's skillful piano work and dynamic interaction with the ensemble.
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Ballad for the Black Man — This piece stands out for its emotional depth and lyrical phrasing, serving as a poignant tribute that resonates with themes of identity and struggle.
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Teardrops for Jimmy — The track combines a haunting melody with rich harmonic textures, illustrating Burrell's ability to evoke profound emotion through concise yet powerful musical statements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

Instrumental

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album blends free jazz with structured melodies, showcasing Burrell's growth as a composer and bandleader.

What we noticed

Each track showcases a different instrumentation approach, with varying combinations of piano, bass, and percussion throughout.
The first track opens with a strong melodic theme that is then deconstructed through improvisation, while the subsequent tracks explore more abstract forms.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

intense emotional improvisation moments
long tracks for deep immersion
live performance energy captured
reflective listening in solitude

Maybe skip if you

prefer short, catchy tunes
seek structured, predictable formats

Where this album fits

Career context: In Concert was released in 1975, during a prolific period for Dave Burrell following his earlier work alongside prominent figures like Archie Shepp. This album showcases Burrell's growth as a bandleader and composer, as he began to carve out his own distinct sound within the post-bop jazz scene.
Stylistic neighbors: Cecil Taylor· Andrew Hill· Sun Ra

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Punaluu Peter 12:41
2 Hope Scope 11:13
3 Ballad for the Black Man 10:35
4 Intuitively 9:22
5 Teardrops for Jimmy 7:10

What to play next

Listen next

High Won-High Two

1968

Go back to

Windward Passages

Full Dave Burrell discography Artists like Dave Burrell

post-bop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata