Hayley Burton: Jazzing up the Summer Showcase at Lubbock’s Buddy Holly Center
L.A. | The Atom
Musician, songwriter and visual artist Hayley Burton grew up in a musical family in Farwell, Texas, and she has loved to sing since she was four years old. She can still remember the first time she heard Frank Sinatra on the radio singing “You Go to My Head.”
“I was at my grandmother’s house when I heard it. I fell in love with that style of music, and it’s been my obsession ever since,” said Burton.
Both of her parents sang at home and at church, and took notice of her interest in showtunes, easy listening and jazz. Burton practiced singing tunes she heard by Doris Day, Judy Garland, Sarah Vaughn and Rosemary Clooney. There was always someone around to sing a harmony part or explain the circle of fifths because her father was a music teacher and director, and her mother was a classically trained vocalist. Her brothers played trumpet and trombone, while her sisters played clarinet. Burton’s family moved to Lubbock when she was about 10 years old, and she took piano lessons, went on to play violin and then French horn in the school band. She later taught herself to play guitar.
“I got a good basic education about how to play music from an early age,” Burton said. “My dad was fantastic with theory. I got to go on band trips with him and see a lot of performers.”
Through her family’s influence, Burton also discovered her love of musicals, such as “Finian’s Rainbow.” A fan of Stan Getz, her father played the saxophone and listened to composers like John Barry. Over time, Burton developed a strong talent for vocal improvisation and found her way to the microphone over 25 years ago.
“I enjoyed singing over the melody in a song. It was so different from other styles,” Burton said. “You can take any piece of music and improvise. You make it your own because that’s part of the point of being a jazz musician.”
Burton began performing live at a local theater, and through South Plains College ensembles and she became lead singer for the Alan Shinn Orchestra and Jazz Combo. She has sung with the Texas Tech Jazz Ensemble and the Harry James Orchestra collaborated with musicians like Royce Chambers, Charles Whitehead, Sean Frankhouser, John Sprott, Brent Wheeler and many others over the years, including critically acclaimed saxophonist Brad Leali.
Her current work as a vocal coach centers on sound therapy and healing. She also plays professionally for a variety of private events, but she will be performing in the Buddy Holly Center’s annual Summer Showcase from 5:30 to 7 p.m. July 31.
“The Summer Showcase is free and offers something very special. The focus is on the creativity and artistry of Lubbock talent,” said Burton. “It’s lots of fun! Bring the whole family. Come hang out, have a good time and hear some really good musicians.”
Learn more about the Summer Showcase at https://ci.lubbock.tx.us/events/1749745093-summer-showcase-2025-july-31-hayley-burton.
(Photo courtesy of Hayley Burton)
