Skip Burney
Guitarist/Guitar Synthesizer
I began playing with bands during my college years at Southern Illinois University. It was here that I first started connecting with other musicians who shared the same ideas that I had about music. During this time I worked various musical jobs, with a band, for the university and community groups.
After college, I played with R&B bands, Top 40 rock bands, and occasionally solo gigs in and around Berks County, Pennsylvania. I traveled with some Top 40 dance bands during the mid 70’s. These bands worked the South Florida, Atlanta, and Carolina resort circuits.
Upon returning to the Philadelphia area, I was called to work with saxophonist George Barron, and his group, Windfall. This was the first time that I had worked with a group that had a strong jazz pedigree. The musicians in this band, all had worked with, and still were working with, name jazz groups. Among them; Pharaoh Saunders, Grover Washington Jr., and Ray Charles. This was a most pleasant experience. Around this time I also played with a local jazz group called Ashanti, and The John Minnis Big Band. We worked around the Philadelphia area, and colleges in the state of Pennsylvania. I also recorded with renowned trumpter, Cullen Knight.
Over the last twenty five years, I have worked musically in various different genres, from private affairs to Top 40 dance clubs. I was a member of The Gene Varnes Orchestra for over fourteen years. This band played a lot of society balls and private affairs around the city. I was co-founder and member of the Steel Assassins blues band. I am a member of the Philadelphia Musicians’ Union, Local 77, AFM.
My solo work is a mixture of Latin, Blues, and Jazz. I love Brazilian rhythms, and my music leans in that direction when playing my nylon string guitar. I use the synthesizer to add color to my music. I enjoy and have fun playing the guitar. I’d like to share this with you.