There’ve been a host of twists and turns for the well-traveled Butler — though, in many ways, each of these side roads ultimately were necessary for the Montreal-based pianist to get to this place.
For instance, he studied Japanese culture at Dartmouth, and ended up touring throughout Southeast Asia with Eldee Young, the long-time bassist with Ramsey Lewis. The New Jersey native then circled back to Canada to explore the hometown of hero Oscar Peterson, and ended up connecting with bassist Eric Lagace. Together, they still hold a residency along with Wali Muhammad — the drummer who hired Butler for his first Montreal gig — at the well-regarded local House of Jazz. Woodshedding there, ultimately, led to this new self-titled debut from Justin Time Records, which features a number of tracks first explored on stage.
So, it’s little surprise that interesting takes on “The Lady is a Tramp” fit seamlessly alongside newer compositions written specifically for the album — that a lush, flowing original like “Voice for All” would compare and contrast sp nicely with the strutting joys of Horace Silver’s “The Preacher.” After all, theirs is a hard-won musical symbiosis.
You get the sense, though, that they’re just getting started — that Taurey Butler, even now, is still going places. It’s going to be a fun ride.
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