Scurvy is a New York-based group lead by composer and saxophonist Johnny Butler. Former in 2007, Scurvy combines elements of progressive rock, math metal, noise, fusion, jazz, and unrestrained improvisation. Additionally, Scurvy makes appearances as a classical chamber ensemble, performing intimate chamber adaptations of their rock repertoire.
EMAIL: scurvynyc at gmail dot com
SELECTED PRESS
"Scurvy: catch it. When we heard that Scurvy was launching its first tour of the Northeast, we immediately thought of grabbing some fruit and staying off boats. But it turns out there's no need. This Scurvy isn't a disease, it's an experimental jazz outfit with a penchant for dissonance and skittering guitars...the Fringe is scheduled to follow., " -Nick Zaino, Boston Globe
"Experimental/rock/jazz group Scurvy getting some legs and heading off on a Northeast tour. Tonight they bid a brief farewell to NYC with a free show. Scurvy kind of sounds like the New York Howl playing at Tonic (RIP) or Zebulon so if that's your digs - or you want to do something new before celebrating the first warm night of summer, then this may be it." -Chris Lehault, FreeNYC
“The mention of Scurvy brings to mind images of pirates with bleeding gums and limited access to fresh fruit. The New York City–based band that has taken Scurvy as its moniker, however, is imbuing the word with a slightly more pleasant meaning. Scurvy’s music combines that of the ubiquitous jam bands you mistakenly saw all the time in college and the experimental free jazz you later learned to love; the result is steady Latin beats that give way to improvisational freakouts. This interplay between structure and chaos...certainly better than a fatal deficiency in vitamin C.” - Matthew A. Stern, Washington City Paper
"Put on your pirate patch and lend an ear to the crazy experimental rockers called Scurvy. It's an instrumental extravaganza...” Julie Garcia, ThePalestra.com
"This touring jazz band featuring Obie alum Johnny Butler passes through Oberlin College. Come witness the eventual fate of those skilled and jazzy..." Oberlin Review
Yes, yes, y’all. I.B.N. will be raging hard on Friday, October 23 at Legion in Williamsburg, Brooklyn! Full on avant noise weirdness and blown out electronic blastitudes all night. That’s the I.B.N. promise! Come out and see what we have to show you.
Video documentation of a performance piece by my friend Nate Kassel who rode around on his bike slapping high-fives to people who were trying to hail taxi cabs in NYC. Enjoy!
