JOHN JB BUTLER Guitarist, Composer, Teacher
"Deft Jazz Guitarist" Downbeat Magazine
John, a Fulbright Scholar in Music, is an experienced performer in the fields of Jazz, Latin, New Music and Dance. He is equally at home playing solo or with larger groups.
John began his professional career in Portland in 1975 and was active in the very busy jazz scene at that time, performing extensively with sax great Jim Pepper and legendary organist Count Dutch. He moved to N.Y. in 1981, rooming with Jim Pepper and was there less than a year before receiving an '85 gig tour of Holland and Belgium with Dutch pianist Rene Van Helsdingen.
Remaining in Holland until 1987 John recorded 2 L.P.s and was guitar instructor at the Hilversum Conservatory. At this time he performed at various festivals and clubs in Holland Belgium, Germany, Austria and Switzerland and performed regularly with the great bass player Wilbur Little.
Returning to N.Y. in 1988 John played regularly in the New York club scene as well as performing for the Young Audiences program in schools around N.Y. with his brother Ken Butler.
While performing at New Music America Festival 1988 in Miami John met Peruvian dancer Luciana Proaño, which led to regular performances in Peru as her musical director. In 1991 John received a Fulbright Grant to Peru where he performed solo concerts and taught jazz workshops in the conservatories of Lima, Cusco, Arequipa, Trujillo and Chiclayo. He also studied Afro-Peruvian music with Carlos Hayre.
In 1994 John returned to make his home base in Portland from where he has continued to perform nationally and internationally.
John has performed with:
Jack McDuff, Jim Pepper, Jeff "Tain" Watts, Beaver Harris, Wilbur Little, Billy Killson, Jeff Ballard, Dafnis Prieto, Yosvany Terry, Lionel Loeke, Ronnie Burrage,Gene Jackson, Han Bennink, Leroy Vinnegar, Mark Feldman, Glen Moore, David Friesen, Essiet Essiet, and others.
John has performed at:
Lincoln Center in N.Y.; Concertgebouw in Amsterdam; New Music America's 1988 in Miami &1990 in Montreal; Musique Action 1991 in France; Brussels Jazz Club in Belgium; International Guitar Festival in Lima Peru; NOS Festival, Camel Jazz Festival, Heinekin Jazz Festival, Bim House, in Holland; Painted Bride in Philadelphia; San Antonio Festival in Texas; American Dance Festival in N. Carolina, Jazz at Pearl's in San Francisco, Cathedral Park, the Aladdin Theater and numerous venues in Portland; N.Y. clubs include Visiones, Knitting Factory, P.S. 122, Roulette, Angry Squire, 55 Bar, Zanzibar , Zinc Bar, Sweet Rhythm and others.
AVAILABLE FOR SALE ON CDBABY.COM:
"Live in Peru", CD .All Butler originals with John JB Butler, guitar; Dale Barlow, alto sax; Essiet Essiet, bass; Ronnie Burrage, drums.
"Bahama Cowboy", CD. All Butler originals with John JB Butler, guitar; Essiet Essiet, bass.
For further information contact him at: jbguitarbutler@msn.com
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