Dan Burley was an influential American pianist, journalist, and cultural commentator born on November 7, 1907, in Lexington, Kentucky. The son of Rev. James Burley, a former slave and Baptist minister, and Anna Seymour, an educator, Burley grew up in Lexington and Fort Worth, Texas, before moving to Chicago in 1915. In Chicago, he attended Wendell Phillips High School, where he developed a passion for music and journalism, befriending future jazz greats like Lionel Hampton and Louis Jordan.

Burley's career in journalism began in the 1920s with the Chicago Daily Defender, where he eventually became the sports editor. He later moved to New York City, becoming a prominent figure in African-American media as the managing editor of the Amsterdam News and co-owner of the New York Age. He also contributed to major publications like Ebony, Jet, and Duke, and his work appeared in mainstream outlets such as Esquire and Life.

As a musician, Burley was known for his boogie-woogie piano style and played with legends like Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Billie Holiday. He formed the group Dan Burley & His Skiffle Boys, which included musicians like Brownie McGhee and Pops Foster. Burley also wrote music for Lionel Hampton and Cab Calloway.

In addition to his music and journalism, Burley was a cultural advocate, reputedly coining the term "bebop" and publishing "Dan Burley's Original Handbook of Harlem Jive," which provided insights into African-American vernacular and culture. During World War II, he served as a war correspondent and led a USO unit.

Dan Burley passed away on October 29, 1962, in Chicago, Illinois, leaving a legacy as a trailblazer in both music and journalism.