Don Burrows and James Morrison: A friendship shaped by music | Australian Story

Australia's original jazzman, Don Burrows, died age 91 in March 2020 after a long battle with Azheimer's disease. We look back at his enduring friendship with saxophonist James Morrison and how the mentee became the mentor in his final years. When 16-year-old music student James met the legendary jazz maestro in 1978, it was one of the biggest turning points in his life. After hearing James play, Don immediately took the young trumpeter under his wing, becoming his mentor and inviting him to join the Burrows band. It was the beginning of an enduring friendship, both on stage and off and as Don's health faded, James became his legal guardian and stepped up to help care for his friend. #AustralianStory #DonBurrows #JamesMorrison #jazz __________________________________________ Watch more Australian Story documentaries here: https://bit.ly/36ABH2J You can also like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ABCAustralianStory Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AustralianStory About Australian Story: Putting the "real" back into reality television, Australian Story is an award-winning documentary series with no narrator and no agendas — just authentic stories told entirely in people's own words. Take 30 minutes to immerse yourself in the life of an extraordinary Australian. They're sometimes high profile, sometimes controversial, but always compelling. It’s television guaranteed to make you think and feel. New episodes are available every Monday.

Added 28 Sept 2026