Johnny Butler » aweseomness

FREE DIGITAL DWNLD: “Sonata” live from Cafe Orwell 8/10/11

jb — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:42:48 +0000

Check out my solo saxophone piece “Sonata” recorded live at Cafe Orwell on August 8th, 2011. I’ve been working on a series of accompanied solo saxophone pieces, which I plan to post over the next few weeks along with some other pieces that have been on the chopping block recently that I don’t plan to add to my upcoming album “Carousel”. I hope you enjoy. Shoot me a message or leave a comment if you feel inspired.

FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD!! —>> Sonata.mp3

New Album Cover Artwork by Jake Nelson!!

jb — Thu, 19 May 2011 17:08:36 +0000

Check out this beautiful piece by Jake Nelson (jakenelsonart.com). I had a great time collaborating with him on the idea for the image, but really his creativity took it in this direction. Check out the reflections curving around the contours of the saxophone’s bell. Amazing. Really captured the vibe of the music. The idea is to have this piece wrap around the outside cover of the album, both front and back, no text. I can’t wait to see it in print. Inner layout design and the finished album coming soon!

Downbeat reviews Solo

jb — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 15:04:13 +0000

I was very happy to come across this beautiful review of my album Solo in Downbeat‘s July 2010 issue. Enjoy!

“Total Soloism”

“Solo performance is a paradox. It requires cojones, heightened self confidence and physical conditioning yet is as much about vulnerability and ritual self-sacrifice. Though a blatant form of outward artistic expression, it is peculiarly demanding of the intellect, a Cartesian musing, with the horn functioning as a brain tap.

After dabbling with resonances from John Coltrane and Miles Davis and enveloping his processed saxophone sound in cavernous reverb, Brooklyn-based Johnny Butler turns a polyphony of overdubbed horns (triggered by laptop) into Fritz Lang’s Metropolis machine on Solo (Self Release; 23:02).” -Michael Jackson

Trio @ Puppets, Tues. May 25

jb — Thu, 13 May 2010 16:55:52 +0000

I’m super excited to play some of my solo material with my extraordinarily talented colleagues Jason Nazary on drums and Aidan Carroll on bass at Puppets Jazz Bar (481 5th Avenue, Park Slope, Brooklyn), Tuesday, May 25th from 8:30-10pm. Its $5 to get in, which goes to the band, and $10 minimum, but you know you’d spend at least that much anyway! Good times to be had by all!

2010 "SOLO" RELEASE TOUR

jb — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:28:00 +0000

I’m really excited to let you know that I will be embarking on my 2010 “SOLO” RELEASE TOUR making stops in Washington DC, Frederick, MD, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Seattle, Oakland, Tacoma, Olympia, and Portland. I’m going to be playing songs from my album SOLO along with a bunch of new tunes I’ve been working on.

And, for those interested in purchasing “SOLO”, its going to be release digitally on February 16th from many distributors including iTunes, Amazon, Rhapsody, and many more. I can also mail copies, just send me an email at johnnybutlerjazz@gmail.com.

*****2010 SOLO RELEASE TOUR DATES*****

Feb. 4 [WASHINGTON, DC] @ Bossa Bistro & Lounge w/ Many Arms 2463 18th St. NW

Feb. 5 [FREDERICK, MD] @ TBA w/Many Arms

Feb. 6 [PHILADELPHIA, PA] @ Highwire Gallery w/Many Arms – 2040 Frankford Ave.

Feb. 7 [BROOKLYN, NY] @ Public Assembly w/ Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds, Afuche, Many Arms – 70 N 6th St.

Feb. 15 [OAKLAND, CA] @ The Ivy Room – 860 San Pablo Ave

Feb. 17 [TACOMA, WA] @ Bob’s Java Jive – 2102 South Tacoma Way

Feb. 18 [SEATTLE, WA] @ High Dive w/ M Bison HAS BEEN MOVED. LOCATION TBA

Feb. 19 [SEATTLE, WA] @ Egan’s Ballard Jam House with Special Guest JEFF GRANT!- 1707 Northwest Market Street

Feb. 20 [PORTLAND, OR] @ Dunes w/ With Eyes Abstract, Jezebel Spirit, Noah Bernstein- 1909 Northeast M L King Boulevard

Feb. 21 [OLYMPIA, WA] @ Le Voyeur w/ Margaret Rhodes Butler – 404 E 4th Ave

Mar. 5 [NEW YORK, NY] @ The Parkside Lounge w/Captain Irascible- 317 E Houston