The Jazz Real Book Como En Vietnam and Gary Burton
(66) “Como en Vietnam" and Gary Burton
Standards Rating 2 Difficulty Rating 6
Gary Burton, a pioneering jazz vibraphonist, is celebrated for his groundbreaking four-mallet grip, which revolutionized vibraphone technique and became a standard in modern jazz. His career began at a young age, self-teaching on marimba and vibraphone, and studying at Berklee College of Music. Burton's early work with Stan Getz and his formation of the Gary Burton Quartet in the late 1960s set the stage for his influence in jazz fusion. His collaborations with musicians like Chick Corea, Pat Metheny, and Herbie Hancock solidified his status as a jazz icon. Burton also had a significant role as an educator at Berklee College of Music, where he taught for over three decades."Como En Vietnam," composed by Steve Swallow, comes from the album Gary Burton and Keith Jarrett and features a latin feel, and an early jazz fusion feel. While not a particularly popular tune it is well constructed with a unique harmonic landscape.