BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) – Legendary musician Big Joe Burrell died Tuesday from complications from surgery.

The 81-year-old saxophone player and singer had entertained crowds around Burlington for nearly 30 years as a solo performer and with his group the Unknown Blues Band.

Burrell was a staple at area clubs and at Burlington’s Discover Jazz Festival.

The Michigan native got his start in blues in jazz groups in the 1950s and 60s.

He also worked with B.B. King’s jazz and blues band in Detroit and Count Basie’s band in New York.

Most recently he played with various musicians in a weekly jazz-blues performance at Halvorson’s Upstreet Cafe in Burlington.

He celebrated 25 years with the Unknown Blues Band in 2004.