John Butcher’s work ranges through improvisation, his own compositions, multitracked saxophone pieces and explorations with feedback and extreme acoustics. Originally a physicist, he left academia in 1982, and has since collaborated with hundreds of musicians principally involved with improvisation – including Derek Bailey, John Stevens, Gerry Hemingway, Polwechsel, Gino Robair, Rhodri Davies, John Edwards, Toshimaru Nakamura, Eddie Prevost, John Russell, Phil Minton and Steve Beresford. His compositions include pieces for Polwechsel, Elision, Rova Saxophone Quartet, and “somethingtobesaid” for the John Butcher Group. Recent projects include “Thermal” with EX guitarist Andy Moor & Thomas Lehn and “The Contest of Pleasures” with Axel Dörner and Xavier Charles. He values playing in occasional encounters – ranging from large groups such as Butch Morris’ London Skyscraper and the EX Orkestra, to duo concerts with Fred Frith and Akio Suzuki.
1st set: John Butcher solo (acoustic saxophones, and amplified/feedback saxophones)
2nd set: with Okkyung Lee (Cello)