His collaborations with Jimmy Smith were notable, and produced the 1965 Billboard Top Twenty hit Verve album Organ Grinder Swing.

While in college, Burrell founded the New World Music Society collective with fellow Detroit musicians Pepper Adams, Donald Byrd, Elvin Jones, and Yusef Lateef.

Since his New York debut Burrell has had a prolific recording career, and critics have cited The Cats with John Coltrane in 1957, Midnight Blue with Stanley Turrentine in 1963, and Guitar Forms with arranger Gil Evans in 1965 as particular highlights.

The Grammy website states that between "...1956 and 2006, Mr. Burrell has excelled as a leader, co-leader and sideman releasing recordings with stellar musicians in the world of jazz.

[13] With Gene Ammons With Chet Baker With Aaron Bell With Andy and the Bey Sisters With Ray Brown With Donald Byrd With Betty Carter With Paul Chambers With Chris Connor With Blossom Dearie With Tommy Flanagan With Frank Foster With Aretha Franklin With Red Garland With Stan Getz With Coleman Hawkins With Milt Jackson With Illinois Jacquet With Thad Jones With Johnny Hodges With Shirley Horn With Etta Jones With Hank Jones With Quincy Jones With Wynton Kelly With Jack McDuff With Gary McFarland With Dave Pike With Freddie Roach With Jimmy Smith With Sylvia Syms With Cal Tjader With Stanley Turrentine With Frank Wess With Ernie Wilkins With Joe Williams With Kai Winding With Jimmy Witherspoon With Leo Wright With others