Today, critically-acclaimed artist, composer, and producer George Burton announced his newest album, White Noise, will be released on September 20th. Alongside the announcement, Burton has released the album’s first single, "Heard But Not Seen" a haunting instrumental drawing on the melodies of traditional South African Xhosa music, interwoven with the upbeat percussion and smooth sax of classic jazz. “Heard But Not Seen” features Burton’s frequent collaborator Dylan Band, a fellow jazz musician and Philadelphia native, as well as South African singer Siya Makuzeuni. In advance of White Noise, George Burton will be playing The Blue Note with Shabaka on September 7th & 8th (additional dates below).
Pre-Save White Noise + listen to “Heard But Not Seen” HERE
“The title is a play on words that flips the somewhat antiquated phrase ‘seen but not heard’ — which was most frequently used to describe how adults wanted to experience children, but it could also refer to any marginalized group, historically. In modern society we’ve come to adopt the reverse as status quo — we see a multitude of ways in which marginalized people are often ‘heard,’ with their artistic expression, thoughts and ideas finally becoming part of the conversation, while they are still not allowed to truly be acknowledged or revered for who they are, their contributions continuing to go unrecognized in the broader narrative. This piece pays tribute to their unseen influence and the silent power of their voices.”
- George Burton in conversation with WRTI
White Noise serves as a metaphor for societal oblivion, where comforting lies are sold at the expense of truth, criticizing how society, influenced by corrupt power, perpetuates racism and false hierarchies masking oppression as progress. Colonialism and slavery are treated as historical anomalies, ignoring their ongoing impact. The record, a powerful story of Black resilience and protest on a global scale, challenges systemic racism and hopes to inspire change.
On White Noise, Burton incorporates a multitude of musical influences, seamlessly blending electronic music, jazz, hip-hop, Xhosa music (inspired by Miriam Makeba, Thandiswa, etc) with his singer-songwriter approach to lyricism. The result is a masterclass in sonic storytelling, with each track serving as a chapter in the album’s overall narrative, complete with liner notes by Nadia Owusu (writer whose book was selected for President Barack Obama’s favorite books of the year + a New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice). The album features contributions from American educator Jane Elliott, Afro-futurist Sun Ra, and poet Dante Clark and includes vocals by Siya Makuzeuni and Alexa Barchini, and lyrics by Detroit hip-hop duo The Black Opera.
Hailing from Philadelphia, Burton has become a go-to collaborator for local staples The Philly Pops, and, in addition to his recent collaborations with Marquis Hill and Dezron Douglas, has worked with a long roster of varied artists such as Patti LaBelle, Meshell Ndegeocello, and more, including touring for 10 years in the piano chair with the Sun Ra Arkestra. White Noise follows Burton’s celebrated albums The Truth Of What I Am > The Narcissist and Reciprocity. Over the course of his career, he has been hailed by The New York Times, named one of NPR Music Jazz Critics Poll’s Top Album Debuts, nominated for Outstanding Instrumental Jazz Album at the NAACP Image Awards, and praised by numerous outlets including Jazziz,, Downbeat, and WBGO.
WHITE NOISE TRACK LISTING
Your Great Decision
Back Home (feat. Siya Makuzeni)
Heard But Not Seen (feat Dylan Band, Siya Makuzeni)
What We Do In The Present
Subconscious Distraction
Rumination
The Weight (feat. The Black Opera
Echoes | Reverberations
Doubt
Babel of Voices
A Color for Hope (Feat. Dante Clark, Marquis Hill)
In The Labyrinth of the Free (feat. Chris Lewis)
Your Skin | White Noise (feat. Alexa Barchini)
The Giver
TOUR DATES
August 9th - Zinc Bar, NY
September 7th & 8th - The Blue Note, NY (with Shabaka)
October 26th - Exit 0 Festival, NJ
November 1st - Bitter End, NY*
*Album Release Party
