Bassist John Burkitt started playing bass at age 10 and was chosen for the Illinois All-State orchestra while in high school. Starting with classical music, he began playing jazz as a teenager. When he was 15 years old, he bought the bass he plays today. One of his fondest teenage memories is playing bass for a vocal trio at the Illinois State Fair, sharing the stage with Sam the Sham and the

Pharaohs, and the Beach Boys.

 

During and after college John played in numerous jazz combos and big bands and got the chance to play with drummer Joe Morello. After college he started playing a wide variety of musical styles: folk, bluegrass, blues, country, polka, you name it. Gradually, work got in the way and he stopped playing for a number of years. Since retirement, John is thrilled to be playing again with Wide Avenue Cohort, as well as playing at his church and at any pickup gigs he can find.