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GIG-11 Butch Thomas & Friends
Soprano & Tenor
Saxes
Bandleader, Composer, Jazz Educator, Arranger.
Took place on Wed 17th May 2006
and Featured
This Concert was a near capacity sellout
- there were 8 ticket defaulters but
thanks to all those Fans who attended.
This Concert was the Real Deal - all Butch's
chosen Musician
Friends - no House Band.
 Butch Thomas (Born in St Louis -
Bachelor of Fine Arts
- Music 1983, Webster University, St. Louis, MO)
provides a new, thunderous driving force at the front of the band. His
phenomenal playing has been crafted during a 25yr career which has seen him
working with Sting (2 year world tour), Aretha Franklin, Thomas Dolby, Al Jarreau, James Taylor, etc etc.
Butch never fails to
blow up a storm this may have something to do with his remarkable career
with some of the finest artists both in jazz and rock n roll. He began
with being handed the tenor chair in the Jaco
Pastorius band between 1983 and 1987 in
which period he recorded two albums (Punk Jazz & NYC Jam) with this now legendary bass player.
In the years to follow, he played with the likes of
Lester Bowie
in the jazz world but mainly worked as a session player to some great
artists such as guitarist Lennie Kravitz.
he has also appeared as sideman for the likes of Senegalese Singer
Youssou N'dour and
Al Green.
Butch Thomas lived in Buckinghamshire for a Spell but has now
moved to Florida - with
his wife and daughter.
INSTRUMENTS:
Saxophone, Flute, Keyboards, Percussion, Vocals
C oncert Programme -
First set
By the Sea - Butch Thomas
original
In a Silent Way -
Miles Davis
Invitation - Rogers & Hart
Finsbury Park - featuring and written by Pete Oxley
Second Set
That Thang - Butch original?
These are a Few of my Favourite Things - Rogers & Hammerstein
Sao Paolo -
Butch Thomas Original
Caribbean Woman - original by
Butch Thomas
The King is Back -
original by
Butch Thomas
Supporting Musicians
Simon Taylor
– Lead/Rhythm Guitar
 Michael Curtis
Ruiz – Electric Bass
recipient of a scholarship to the Berklee School of
Music has recorded and toured the World with numerous Caribbean and
International artistes including Joe Higgs and Rita Marley. His reputation
as an outstanding bass player is building rapidly in the UK, and he can be
seen playing at various Jazz venues with other bands. Michael played
both Fretless and Fretted Electric basses
Felix Ruiz
– Keyboards
The Ruiz brothers, from
Trinidad, blend Caribbean and World Beat Music with influences of Jazz.
Keyboardist Felix, has performed with legendary Calypsonians the Roaring
Lion, and others including Gregory Isaacs.
 Tony Mason
- Drums -
Formerly Brand New Heavies
- crisp funky percussion.
Special Guest Pete Oxley - Guitar featuring the
'New Noakes Internationals' number Finsbury Park (see details below)
 BUTCH'S
RECORDINGS:-
Jaco Pastorius"Punk Jazz" - Big World Records 1983
Jaco Pastorius"NYC Jam" - Big World Records 1984
Pamela Russo"Pamela Russo" - Mercury Records 1987
The College Boys"Humpin" - Virgin Records 1991
Lenny Kravitz "Momma Said" - Virgin Records 1991
Lenny Kravitz "Brother" - Virgin Records 1992
Vanessa Paradis "Live" - Polydor Records 1994
Wailing Souls "Live" - Remark Records 1994
“Symbiose” album 1996
Aretha Franklin “A Rose is still a Rose” UK Version 1998
Butch Thomas CD
Butch Thomas' self-titled album is an outstanding
collection of Nu-Jazz songs brought to you by an industry veteran.
Butch's Tenor and Soprano Sax on the album is as smooth as silk. His
arrangements are solid and his style is innovative and very modern.
Overall, the musicianship on the CD is tremendous and the sound
quality is excellent as well. Highlights are the opener "Blues for
Miles" taking you back to the 70's a bit with cop show synths and a
memorable Sax performance. "Ooga Booga" has some fun percussion
elements, but keeps it nice and smooth. "You Dig" is a progressive
jazz number with impressive drum work and another solid Sax
performance. If you enjoy smooth jazz saxophone and big name artists
such as Kenny G or Wayne Shorter, you'll enjoy this CD.
 1.
) Blues for Miles (C. Thomas)
2. ) That Thang (C. Thomas , Peter Oxley)
3. ) Sao Paulo (C. Thomas)
4. ) The wings of time (C. Thomas)
5. ) Ooga Booga (C. Thomas)
6. ) By the sea (C. Thomas)
7. ) Caribbean Woman (C. Thomas)
8. ) You dig? (C. Thomas)
9. ) All that you do (C. Thomas)
 
Butch
Thomas Website
The New Noakes Internationals
“Blue in Black and White” - 33 Jazz Records 2002
Butch Thomas
tenor,
soprano sax*
Pete Oxley
acoustic,
electric, synth guitars
Dave Gordon
piano, keyboards
Raph Mizraki
acoustic,
electric basses
Etienne Brachet
drums
Recorded, mixed and mastered at Clowns Pocket Studio
in February and May 2001 by Derek Nash.
Produced by Pete Oxley
1: Finsbury Park* Oxley
2: Mr. Sam Gordon
3: A Word from The Big Guy* Oxley 4: The Alchemist And The
Cat Flap Gordon
5: The Slow Slow Spin Oxley
6: Red Sky Oxley
7: Blue In Black And White* Oxley 8: One
Of These Years* Mizraki
First class gig last night - well done!. It was also good
to see some younger faces and families. Were they his pupils? If yes it's a good
way of filling the place and spreading the gospel. A great evening and
only 9 quid. My old lady wants to see Mike Stern at Ronnie's for £25 each or £48
if you eat?
You must be very pleased that the hard graft is paying off.
Regards Andrew
As usual, Butch and Friends were great in Thame....Get them back again!!!!
Alistair & Denise
Hi just a short note
to say how much we enjoyed Butch's gig! A great performance - any
plans for a return soon?
Richard
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