Courtney Burton was featured in recent Minnesota Bride Spotlight Blogs. Minnesota Bride asked its members to offer advice on how to create an unforgettable wedding experience for your guests. Courtney’s quote below can be found on tip #9 on the blog. “Want your wedding to be unforgettable? Consider live music at your social hour to set a welcoming, classy tone for the night ahead. Or maybe dinner music is more your style to spark lively conversation at your reception.” — Courtney Burton Minnesota Bride: Guest Experience   In another spotlight blog, they asked the experts about how ..read more

(Breckenridge, Ayrton/The Minnesota Star Tribune) Read article Ever wonder about encore careers? I recently had the opportunity to share about my "second act" with Sheryl Jean from the Star Tribune. I traded a corporate career for a life in jazz. After overcoming challenges including pandemic setbacks, we have the joy of performing at weddings, festivals, and even on television. Click here to check out the Minnesota Star Tribune Article ..read more

Dayna Martinez, Executive Director of Twin Cities Jazz Fest, included us in her recent segment on Almanac. The segment aired live on PBS Twin Cities to promote the upcoming Twin Cities Jazz Fest, which will be held on June 21 and 22, 2024. Dayna talked about the new venues that will be part of the festival this year and how the event extends beyond St. Paul. Vocalist Courtney Burton and pianist Eric Edwalds gave viewers a taste of the classic jazz tunes that they will play during their debut at the festival this year ..read more

  The Twin Cities Jazz Festival started as a small one­-day event in downtown Minneapolis 25 years ago, and has since grown into one of the largest free civic jazz festivals in the upper Midwest. The festival is located in and around Mears Park in the Lowertown neighborhood of  downtown Saint Paul. There are two outdoor stages at Mears Park as well as over 18 St. Paul venues have jazz programmed throughout the weekend. The Twin Cities Jazz Festival’s mission is to bring communities together to enjoy and appreciate the art form of jazz and inspire new generations of you ..read more

  Calling all jazz lovers! Get ready to celebrate the unifying power of music on International Jazz Day, happening this year on April 30th. But 2024 brings an exciting twist – the festivities are heading to the vibrant city of Tangier, Morocco! A Day Rooted in History International Jazz Day is the brainchild of legendary jazz pianist and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. Established in 2011, it aims to highlight the unique role jazz plays in bringing people together across cultures and continents. Celebrated annually on April 30th, it's a day to appreciate the rich history and o ..read more

Hey there, jazz lovers! This page is here to provide a window into some of our performances. Here you'll find a selection of videos showcasing some of my favorite tunes that we frequently perform. The beauty of these samples is that they capture the raw energy and excitement of live performance. You get a feel for the different styles I explore, from the swinging, energetic grooves to the smooth, sophisticated ballads. It's a chance to witness the conversation that unfolds between musicians. You’ll find snippets with my band Court’s in Session as well as my collaboration with Minnesota Jazz Ch ..read more

  What do you think of when you hear the word "jazz"? For some, it might seem like strange, confusing music. You may have enjoyed jazz before without realizing it. The classic big band tunes your grandparents loved... Well – that’s Jazz. Those classic love songs, like “My Funny Valentine,” “Summertime,” and other songs by composers like George Gershwin, Cole Porter, and Irving Berlin are considered “jazz standards.” Jazz musicians have long embraced these songs as vehicles for improvisation and expression, reinterpreting them in endless variations across generations of musicians.   ..read more

This year, Jazz Appreciation Month’s theme is celebrating the legendary Duke Ellington. On the occasion of the 125th anniversary of his birth, a tribute is paid to one of the most influential figures in the history of jazz. Duke Ellington's career spanned several decades in the jazz world from the Roaring Twenties through the Swing Era, the Big Band Era continuing until his passing in 1974. His exceptional compositions, unparalleled skills as a pianist, and visionary leadership as a bandleader revolutionized the genre and left an indelible mark on the history of music. Ellington's music, from ..read more

Spring has sprung, and with it comes a month dedicated to a truly American art form: Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM)! Every April, we celebrate the rich history, infectious rhythms, and captivating improvisations that define jazz music. But how did April become synonymous with jazz? Buckle up, because the story involves legendary birthdays, passionate advocates, and a national spotlight. From Local Love to National Recognition The roots of JAM can be traced back to 1980 in the heart of jazz itself - New Orleans. The Louisiana Jazz Federation established Jazz Awareness Month to show appreciatio ..read more

Courtney Burton recently appeared in MPR’s senior economics contributor Chris Farrell’s article: “How to Turn a Hobby into a Business”. With the tagline, “some people change plans after they retire; others make change itself their plan,” Courtney serves as an excellent example of the trend of the second-act entrepreneur. She wanted to leave her job on her own terms and timetable. Courtney embraced her passion for music and turned her side-hustle as a singer into a full-time career. This article is part of Navigating Change, a Next Avenue initiative made possible by the Richard M. Schulze Fam ..read more