The loss of the use of a finger altered the direction of
Vinnie Burke's career. A onetime violinist and guitarist, after his left pinky knuckle was crushed while working at a munitions factory, he was forced to shift to bass. He worked with
Joe Mooney and
Tony Scott, then played with pianist
Cy Coleman for three years. He spent a brief period with
the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, then played with
Marian McPartland, recording with her in 1953. He led his own bands after that into the '80s; these were mainly small combos that would work with top jazz players.
Burke also made solo dates and sessions with
John Mehegan,
Chris Connor,
Eddie Costa,
Tal Farlow,
Don Elliott, and
Gil Melle, as well as
Vic Dickenson,
Bucky Pizzarelli,
Mat Mathews, and
Bobby Hackett. ~ Ron Wynn