Gary Burton

The Profile

Gary Burton is an American jazz vibraphonist and a key figure in jazz fusion. A pioneer of the four-mallet technique, he recorded prolifically, collaborated with artists such as Chick Corea and Pat Metheny, and served for decades on the faculty and administration of Berklee College of Music. He retired from performance in 2017 and has received multiple Grammy Awards.

American jazz vibraphonist; pioneer of the four‑mallet technique; influential in jazz fusion; longtime Berklee College of Music educator/administrator; multiple Grammy Awards; notable collaborations with Chick Corea and Pat Metheny.

Grasshopper’s review celebrates Gary Burton’s Reunion (1989), spotlighting his interplay with Pat Metheny in a refined jazz-fusion setting. The album blends Latin touches, bossa nova hues, and lyrical ballads. Compositions by Metheny, Polo Orti, Vince Mendoza, and Mitchel Forman frame Burton’s velvety vibraphone tone. The supporting band—Will Lee, Peter Erskine, and Mitchel Forman—earns praise for crisp, colorful contributions.