Denver (KDVR) – His family confirmed that Charles Borrell, a classic Pass player and jazz music known as being the first African American origin to died in a major American symphony, died on Tuesday at the age of 104 years.
Borrell was born in Toulido, Ohio, but he moved to Denver in 1949, where he was soon appointed by the Simphoni Orchestra at the time, now called Colorado Symphony. Although he went to other jobs throughout his career, Borrell ended up to Denver and played with symphony until 1999, when he retired.
Because breaking the barriers by joining Colorado Symphony, many called it Borrell in the name of “Jackie Robinson for classical music”, destroying barriers to the American people of African descent.
Burrel was almost affected by the presence of jazz in Denver during his life: “Harlem of the West”, also known as Five Points, has become one of the places that he will see as he is playing the brightness.
He also played with some of more Famous jazz players in history: Billy Holiday, Duke Ellington, El Vitzgerald, Nat King Cole and Sarah Fujan, to name a few. In 2017, Burrel was recruited in the Celebrity Celebrity Hall of Jazz Master and beyond. He also received the Prime Minister of Denver for Excellence in Arts and Culture and Martin Luther King Junior.
Aurora, participated – October 4: Charles Borrell celebrates his 10333th birthday with students on the Charles Borrell campus of visual and papyrus, the school that was named after him, in Ura, Colorado on Wednesday, October 4, 2023. Borrell is a Pass player who broke the color barrier for classic music. (Photography Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
According to Celebrity Colorado Music HallI fell one of the most influential greeting to Borrell on his birthday 99. That is when Colorado Symphony performed the fourth symphony of Chicovsky, the piece that sparked Borrell’s love for music over the years.
The family shared this statement with Fox31 on Tuesday:
Our beloved Charles died this morning, June 17 at the age of 104. He was born in Toulido, Ohio on October 4, 1920, Charles was a loyal son, father, husband, brother, uncle, cousin, cousin and friend to many.
Charles devoted his life to his music and inspired the world with his voice. As one of the first African Americans who won the test with a major symphony orchestra, opened the doors of colored musicians everywhere.
While we are sad about his loss, we are also grateful for his long and inspiring life.
Thank you to all those who took care of Charles and thank you for all your prayers.
Charles Borrell family
The family said that Borrel’s memorial plans will be announced in the coming days.