Our Beloved Friend Dave Burns

We lost our beloved friend, father, husband and drummer Dave Burns this week. Funny. Really smart. A consummate musician who shared his gifts easily. My favortite moments with Dave were when we performed ”Sweet Sexy Woman” as a duet – he had a head voice better than Maurice White of Earth, Wind and Fire. I loved turning to him during “Damn, I Wish I Was Your Lover” to whip my shirt on his cymbals and improvise sultry grooves using my hips against his intuitive drumming.

Dave was also safe, secure, and warm. We talked all night on those long drives from gig to gig, neither of us willing to leave the driver, Gigi, a chance to fall asleep at the wheel. She wouldn’t have, but Dave and I were cut from the same cloth, and we’d rather not risk it, we loved being alive.

Dave introduced me to Kurt Elling, whom he said I improvised like, and when I listened to Kurt with Dave, I was flabbergasted that he thought I was that good. Thank you, Dave.

Dave, we shared so much and we were caring together. You told me all about your three children, Heather, Ashley and Marshall, and your beloved wife, Naomi. I still laugh at your exclamation when our driver drove away and your leg was still out the door. We had it so good and I knew it. You made the hardest possible life a complete success, I admire you and every one who knew you does, too. I’m sorry you had to leave so soon. I think of you often – you added more than rhythm to my life, you added depth.

Your friend,
Sophie