Oklahoma Musicians

Jazz history

Charles & Barbara Burton

Arts Council Oklahoma City and The Oklahoma Eagle's Gateway archive identify the Burtons as Tulsa natives and long-time Oklahoma City performers. Charles is described as lead guitarist/vocalist with work involving Gladys Knight and the Pips and the Tom Jones Show; Barbara is described as a vocalist who worked with the Jazz Messengers, Roger Miller, and Brenda Lee. An Oklahoma Eagle 1969 advertisement independently identifies Charles as guitarist and Barbara as vocalist.

Oklahoma connection

Arts Council Oklahoma City identifies both as Tulsa natives, Booker T. Washington graduates, and an Oklahoma City-based couple/band.

Musical work and relationships

Married performing partnership; Charles lead guitarist/vocalist and later principal; Barbara vocalist and teacher; Burton Band/Messengers Inc.

Hall of Fame account

The Hall catalog presents one combined Charles & Barbara Burton record, listing guitarist/vocalist roles and induction in 2001.

Evidence and remaining questions

The Arts Council page contains unrelated injected text; only the Burton-specific paragraphs were used. Exact dates and separate individual identifiers remain unresolved.

Sources

  1. www.artscouncilokc.com/event/charles-burton-blues-band/
  2. gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc1804913/m1/4/
  3. dcminnerblues.com/14-2/
  4. www.ccmusic.com/messengers-inc-soulful-proclamation/5036468200596
  5. www.okjazz.org/inductees/