Overview

Mike Burney (1 November 1944 – 13 November 2014) was an English jazz saxophonist notable for his lyrical and versatile playing. He came to wider public attention in the early 1970s as a member of Roy Wood's band Wizzard, where his saxophone contributions became a distinctive part of the group's sound. Across a career that spanned several decades he balanced work in jazz settings with session and live performances in pop and rock contexts.

Career and collaborations

Burney performed both in ensembles led by others and in his own groups. He was active on the British live circuit and appeared on recordings and broadcasts, contributing the bright, reed‑centered textures that saxophones add to arrangements in multiple genres. While best known for his role in Wizzard, he also worked with a range of artists and ensembles, appearing in concert halls, clubs and recording studios.

Style and instruments

As a jazz musician, Burney combined a sense of swing and melody with the robust tone often required in pop and rock horn sections. His approach emphasized clear phrasing and an ability to blend with brass and woodwind colleagues while also stepping forward for solos when the music called for it. He is associated broadly with the saxophone family and the versatility required of professional reed players.

Notable roles and activities

  • Member of Roy Wood's Wizzard, contributing saxophone to the band's recordings and live shows.
  • Frequent session and live musician across jazz and popular music settings.
  • Performer on radio and television platforms and at music venues around the UK.

Legacy and death

Burney is remembered by colleagues and fans for his dependable musicianship and for bringing jazz sensibilities into popular arrangements. He died from cancer on 13 November 2014 at the age of 70. Accounts of his career and examples of his work can be found in music histories, archived broadcasts and musician directories.

Further information and obituaries or discographies may be consulted via general music reference sites and archives: biography and career overview, discography and credits, performance archives, and memorials and obituaries.