Christopher LeRoy Burnett was born on November 2nd, 1955 in Olathe, Kansas - a city suburb of Kansas City, Kansas. Primarily known as Chris Burnett and starting his active career in 1974 at the age of 18 years old, he has continued as a life-long learner while performing music professionally for over three decades. The Kansas City area native was also recently signed to the roster of Paul Collins Artist Management International. After his family traveled extensively in early childhood and lived at such places as: France, Michigan and Colorado, he was subsequently raised and grew up in the small KC metro city of Paola, Kansas where his studies in music began seriously under clarinetist, James R. Fuchs. Mr. Fuchs was the local school band director who exposed him to professional saxophone players like Charles Molina and Gary Foster during those formative years. His brother, Richard Pratt, who is also a musician (New York Jazz Quartet, Broadway, Film, Studio, etc.), and the eldest sibling in his family, continues to serve as a significant professional role model and mentor.

Prior to embarking upon his professional recording artist career in the Kansas City area, Mr. Burnett completed a 20-year active-duty career performing professionally with various noteworthy US military bands. And thus, has already participated in thousands of live performances. His honorable services resulted in the receipt of numerous award decorations, for both musical and military excellence, and include: the Department of Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two individual awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal, and many others. Notable highlights of his military music career include: a Staff and Faculty assignment at the Armed Forces School of Music; Leading Chief Petty Officer of the NATO Band at Naples, Italy where he served as NATO Ceremonial Band Conductor, Jazz Ensemble Director, and featured soloist during performance tours which also included several television broadcasts; being featured at age 23, as alto saxophone soloist with the Hof Symphony Orchestra (Germany) during two recorded Hauptkoncert (Main Concert) performances of the Rolf Liebermann 12-tone serial work, Concerto for Jazz Band and Symphony Orchestra (comp. 1954); along with jazz performances with his quartet outside of the military jobs.

An active BMI Writer Affiliate, his ensemble performances and studio recordings primarily feature his original compositions and his interpretive arrangements of select works by other composers. As a composer, Mr. Burnett is the 1995 5-Star Award of Merit Winner of the National Federation of Music Clubs for his original composition and arrangement for big band titled, Daedalus. His debut CD titled, "Time Flies", was recorded with the last edition of his group named, "4-Jazz", which included: Jeff Stewart on piano, Elliot Kuykendall on acoustic and electric basses; and, Ken Baldwin and/or Bob Habib on drum set and percussion. This release resulted in signing with a real jazz label and was officially re-issued under his name in 2003 by the Kansas City USA-based jazz label, 'ASR Records. With new Chris Burnett CD releases now in the works, "Time Flies" continues to garner the highest of positive musical reviews and commentary from both, professional music critics and listening fans alike. The goal of documenting music that rewards repeated listening has been achieved with his debut CD.

Chris Burnett Quartet was formed upon his return home to live in the Kansas City area in 2001. Thus, he began another new phase of his career as a performer. The Chris Burnett Quartet debuted with a performance on the main stage of the Roots Festival at Paola, Kansas in 2002. In 2003, he was contacted to open at the Adam's Mark in Kansas City for Maynard Ferguson by the jazz trumpet legend's management. As a result of that successful performance, an official of the Elms Resort and Spa who was in the audience, contracted CbQ to appear as the featured group at their 4th Annual Jazz and Wine Festival in Excelsior Springs, Missouri in 2004. Other recent performances included performing and successfully hosting the "Blue Monday Jam" at Kansas City's famous Blue Room jazz club in 2004 - thus validating the viability of his artistry within the historic "18th and Vine Jazz District" scene too. Mr. Burnett also participated in a special broadcast performance for the popular "The Jazz Scene - 2004 Holiday Show" radio program hosted by David Basse for Kansas Public Radio. Members of Chris Burnett Quartet currently include Chris Burnett (asx/comp) with the support of noted local musicians like: Roger Wilder (pno); Seth Lee (dbl bs); and, Donivan Bailey (drs). As a recording artist, Mr. Burnett's artistic vision remains that his ensemble still be an actual set group of purposely selected musicians: who also actually rehearse together; who sincerely appreciate his artistic vision; and, who know the original CbQ repertoire. CbQ is primarily focused upon the creative performance of original material, thus most live performance opportunities are best suited to certain contexts such as concerts, festivals, and select jazz venues. The Chris Burnett Quartet will not necessarily be engaged in typical casual club work. Current working projects for this ensemble include: "Quartet Music", which is actually a multi-phase project that is focused upon the recording of Mr. Burnett's newest jazz compositions. Any future live performance initiatives for this group will also likely center primarily upon support of CD releases. Although 2005 was primarily a year of sideman work for Mr. Burnett, he engaged each opportunity with equal enthusiasm, artistry and professionalism. He has been welcomed back home to the Kansas City area as an artist by such notable leaders as Ahmad Alaadeen and David Basse, resulting in participation in several significant jazz performances at music festivals and during other significant events in the region.

Artist Outreach and Community Service as a professional musician have been important elements from the start of Mr. Burnett's professional music career. This attitude is based upon his own experiences of having the benefit of learning from great music educators, as well as, having the benefit of numerous professional performing artists as mentors throughout the various stages of his active career. So, in addition to his professional performance activities, Mr. Burnett remains involved in the development of student musicians as an IAJE artist/clinician (active member since 1985); through his own private teaching practice; and the conduct of affordable music clinics at local schools in the Kansas City area. Having supported the efforts of school music educators for over 25 years, first through hundreds of clinics during his career with military bands and now privately through the IAJE Artist Outreach Network, he brings a professional performer's perspective and an educator's understanding to each setting. Mr. Burnett has noteworthy college-level teaching experience as a former director of the jazz ensemble program at the University of Missouri-Rolla, where he was employed as an adjunct Lecturer in Music for more than 10 years until returning home to the Kansas City area. He was also one of the principle artist/educators featured at the First Annual Jazz Education Forum and Jazz Festival in 1998, which was held in Jefferson City, Missouri. At which, he performed with his own quartet, as well as with another stellar group comprised of: Bill Cunliffe on piano, Kristin Korb on bass, and Yoron Israel on drums.

BurnettMusic.com is not only his official artist website domain name, but also an organized sole proprietorship business entity that is owned and operated by Mr. Burnett. His developed technical knowledge, proven management abilities and tempered experience as a businessman, result in several significant professional associations of BurnettMusic.com with other established music businesses and arts organizations. Beyond organizational support relationships, these include serving as a staff writer/arranger for Fandeen Publishing Company, Inc. and as a participating Board Member of Alaadeen Enterprises, Inc., both are corporations based in Kansas City USA.