Vibraphonist Gary Burton: 'A gay guy who happens to be a jazz musician'

Seven-time Grammy winner Gary Burton is one of the world's best-known jazz vibraphonists. But until late middle age, even Burton didn't know something crucial to his being: He's gay.
Burton recently released a new CD, Guided Tour, and a memoir, Learning to Listen: The Jazz Journey of Gary Burton ($28, Berklee Press).
Reported by Steve Rothaus, t.co/jaIXtlpWPI
Video by Jose A. Iglesias / El Nuevo Herald

[@CS-mo7xp]

gay, straight,,...doesn't matter to me. music transcends all that stuff, and his music is amazing

[@pekka676]

Gary is one of my all time favourite musicians. Didn't know he is gay. Sexuality and sprituality come together beautifully in music. I have always sensed something deep about his music.

[@federicoponzo7092]

I didnt know that a great artist like him was such a mediocre man..i always liked his music,but after i listened this bunch of bullshits ,i dont have a lot of consideration of him as a person..

[@sansung4189]

@@federicoponzo7092hey man dont be so rude abt him. he jus doin his thing and he is stated his sexuality, and i dont believe anything is wrong in being comfortable in your own skin, ESPECIALLY when this man makes sum beautiful shi like this. spread love, not hate brotha, and whether u agree with me or not i think we don’t need more negativity in this plane of existence 🙏

[@JeffAntoniukEducator]

Thanks for all the great music, Gary. So glad that you can comfortably be who you are.

[@brianismael4553]

I never knew Gary was (is) gay makes absolutely no difference to how i feel about him or his music he's a huge inspiration to mankind.

[@LisaBellaDonnaMusic]

One things absolutely certain, Gary Burton is a precious gift to us all. A breathtaking scene of nature.

[@jormayorccis1028]

Gary is not only great improviser, but he’s a brilliant educator as well. Therefore his input and importance to the jazz world is hard to put in words.

[@daunomartinez3257]

It never mattered us, what matters is are you a good person? And we all know you are :-) A beautiful person that happens to play music.

[@47AdriRamiAKAETHG]

Your Sexuality isn't something that should define you, as it doesnt matter what you are into sexually as much as your passion. as long as you are aware of yourself, you should not be afraid to be yourself

[@SalimSivaad]

For all you idiots commenting "who cares" and "it doesn't matter"... *HE* cares and it matters to *HIM.* Improvisation is about searching for the truth of your feelings and freedom to express yourself. Inhibitions and hang-ups are the absolute enemy of improvisation. Walking around constantly afraid how people are going to perceive you for just feeling the way you feel and being so ashamed of how you feel it leads you to lie to yourself and all of your loved ones your whole life is NOT a way to achieve one's highest potential as a human being. Have some empathy! You might not care who Gary sleeps with but being gay is so much more than who you sleep with. It's about living your truth unafraid and accepting yourself just the way you are...not hating yourself for feelings you didn't choose and can't change.

[@federicoponzo7092]

And even if it would be a choise, you have to hate yourself,you std fk?

[@federicoponzo7092]

Anyway, there is no different level in his music between and after his coming out: he did great music for all his carreer: his production before 1994 was wonderful the same, so stop with bs..

[@SalimSivaad]

@@federicoponzo7092 I dare you to say this to Gary’s face. Who do you think you are to call his self-identity “bs”?

[@federicoponzo7092]

​​@@SalimSivaad i never called his sexual identiy a "bullshit" ..i said that it's stupid to be "constantly aware in being a gay man but not so much in music",and by the way not as a reply of your post,where i sayed the the level of his music was always high,before and after his coming out..but I understand it s too difficult to understand for someone who s only interested in people's sexuality.

[@SalimSivaad]

@@federicoponzo7092 You’re projecting. Only the people who care about his sexuality are the ones telling him to shut up about it. Those of us who actually don’t care accept Gary as he is, and embrace him and his music regardless. You on the other hand, want him to entertain you, not express himself as a human being.

[@pixelsnob]

Wow these are beautiful words and thoughts. Just like his music! Been listening since the late 80s. Still listening! Hope you're doing well, Gary!

[@federicoponzo7092]

Beautiful words? "I'm not aware of music but I m constantly aware of being gay" are "wonderful words" for you? Well, It depends: i call them one of the biggest bunch of bullshits i ever heard..

[@spacevspitch4028]

Ha, "A" jazz musician. No. One of the greatest jazz musicians ever.

[@CribNotes]

Yes, I noticed that too. Gary Burton isn't just a jazz musician. He's a jazz monster!!

[@oomenacka]

I love Gary Burton so much, he's my biggest musical inspiration

[@michalescarn511]

Get a life

[@iamnoti6162]

Excellent interview with my amazing teacher of three years!

[@arsofe]

Didn't know. He has been one of my favorite musicians for decades.

[@gabesmith9171]

When he dies he will be leaving an incredible musical gift behind

[@federicoponzo7092]

Yes but it seems not so interested in that: it s more interested in let everybody know him for his sexual orientation.

[@alexeonbel4304]

Literally couldn't care less. Guy plays the most fire vibraphone I've ever heard. Always gonna listen to him Gay or Not. Good for him though feeling more free to be himself. 👍

[@mitchkahle314]

In life and music it's always best to be yourself from the start. Congratulations, Gary.

[@sweatynutz722]

Doesn't matter to me. Great teacher, person and musician.

[@Belfreyite]

The Worlds a better place for Gary. Don't worry my friend, Your music says it all! Many many thanks.

[@alicecohen4726]

Gary you are beautiful as you are.👍 the music is a bonus. Much love always 💕😚🎶🌈🌹👍🌠🔅😎🍸

[@patriciamoser6163]

. I love your musical legacy, Mr. Burton! (Mwah!)

[@tomfetter4011]

Y'know, it sounds like Gary's initial concern that he needed to self-edit to give no hint of his sexual orientation was what he then describes as transcending, adding freedom to his playing. No judgment - I understand why he felt that need, and can imagine the release when he decided it was no longer necessary. And he's a great, great musician - and was all along, IMO. But I find it sad when anyone, of whatever orientation or identity, finds they have to describe that characteristic as what most fully or most importantly defines them. I'm 61 now, and sexual energy ebbs and flows across a lifetime - is less dominant (and frankly less intrusive) as one ages, though it never disappears. But it's only a characteristic, of any of us. One among many, and for I think any of us, not the most interesting or unique characteristic giving us the particular thing making any of us different from everyone else.

[@aadityakiran_s]

The one thing I got from this is that you don't necessarily have to be obsessed with music to attain mastery. No offense to the gay guys.

[@CharlesAustin]

Congrats: freedom !! Such an inspiring musician now and even more in the future !!

[@federicoponzo7092]

"Now"?? Are you sayng he became a great musician only after he comed out as gay? Have you listen some of his music?

[@maik723]

Doesn't change a thing. Doesn't change a thing.

[@gregarnold1696]

Gary i love you be yourself thanks 😊 Hotel Hello is the best 👌

[@brucegelman8113]

We should all be free to be who we are.Liberate yourself.

[@federicoponzo7092]

Ok..and who the fk you are?

[@cassianowogel]

Gary is superb!

[@davidcarlin3850]

Gary you are the best. Who cares about orientation, you are the maestro

[@jonasandezekiel1109]

I don't know why this matters one bit.

[@petepoulos]

Until the gossip and unkind remarks about Stan Getz who without him Gary Burton would have just been a local musician, and by the way Gay or Straight has nothing to do with your Musicianship. It's just grasping for attention like Sulu on Star Trek. I have had people in Bands around me Gay, Alcoholic, Junkies or Mental Cases. I didn't care.

[@mtownz6215]

what..if i only knew..smh. oh well

[@777morgan3]

WHO KNEW ITS THE MUSIC

[@Grandtrunk]

WHO CARES??? Why is that important? His music transcends all

[@cheapasanta]

robert broad: It’s important to HIM, and that’s precisely why we, as fans, ought to care.

[@alphabeets]

It doesn’t matter one bit. No one cares about his personal life- only the music he presents publicly.

[@federicoponzo7092]

​​@@cheapasantai don t give af of what is important to him,i love him because of his music,and by the way that all nonsense about "i realized to be gay in my 40's" and "i m not constantly aware in music but i always aware of being gay" sadly sound a little bit stupid for a genius like him: it s like listen Mozart sayng "i care about my heterosexuality much more than about music"

[@genwav]

U mean a jazz musician who happens to be gay

[@rsantana389]

U mean a person who happens to be jazz musician and gay

[@robertmarcus5009]

Listen - he explains this precise form of words.

[@Michael-Oh]

He is Straight'nt

[@german6491]

I dont have to say I,m straight (I am ) , who cares . So if anybody is gay , who cares .

[@alphabeets]

I’m waiting for someone to ask a jazz musician what it is like to be a heterosexual jazz musician. Seriously, who the f cares.

[@thomasdower1533]

Please, stop talking. Forever

[@CribNotes]

Interesting point, but Gary breaks it down for us in this vid.

[@Magnus--Johansson]

It seems like being gay is like being Jewish -- it is more important than anything else for many such persons.

[@brandonborn9540]

What a close-minded vibraphone. Burton would never want to play you