A solid swing drummer, Alvin Burroughs was considered a valuable sideman during the big band era. He grew up in Pittsburgh and during 1928-29 was a member of Walter Page's Blue Devils in Kansas City. He also worked with Alphonse Trent before settling in Chicago. Among the many associations that Burroughs had in the 1930's were with Hal Draper's Arcadians (1935), Horace Henderson (1937-38) and most importantly Earl Hines' Orchestra (1938-1940), with whom he recorded regularly. Burroughs also worked with Milt Larkins, Benny Carter (1942), had his own band and then spent a period with Red Allen's jump group (1945-46). After heading his own band again for a few years, Alvin Burroughs (who never led his own record session) was a member of George Dixon's Quartet when he died of a heart attack at the age of 38. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide
