Charles Burnham is a modern violinist who works most often as an improviser in blues based music forms. Over the last four decades he has been living and working in New York City with some of modern music’s brightest stars.  

In 1982 he began a partnership with the groundbreaking guitarist James Blood Ulmer which produced several recordings, including the critically acclaimed “Oddessey”, and performed around the world. That partnership is ongoing.

Also in the 1980’s Burnham replaced the wonderful Billy Bang in the legendary String Trio of New York. This association lasted until the early ‘90’s and produced many recordings and worldwide tours.

In 1992 Burnham was asked to record and arrange music for Cassandra Wilson’s first Blue Note record, Blue Light ‘til Dawn, after which he remained in her touring ensemble until she retired from public performing.

The year 2000 was the start of Charles’s association with Steven Bernstein’s Millenial Territory Orchestra that continues to this day.  MTO is the band that accompanied piano virtuoso Henry Butler just before he passed away.

Among the artists with whom Burnham has collaborated on a more short term basis we include Henry Threadgill, Wynton Marsalis, Nora Jones, Susie Ibarra, and many more.

Currently, Mr. Burnham is working with Martha Redbone’s Roots Project and Smokey’s Roundup, a band that wears cowboy hats.  His own projects include Pitch Rhythm Consciousness, a group that has recorded three albums and grown in size from trio to sextet, Breathof Air, an electric trio including old friends Brandon Ross and Warren Benbow, and Burnham’s own Charlie Burnham quartet, a band that features original music and lots of singing.