CHRIS BUTCHER

Chris Butcher is a trombone player quickly establishing himself as a unique force in the Canadian jazz scene. Chris lives in Toronto, having moved from his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba to study at Humber College's prestigious jazz degree program. Having recently graduated with numerous awards, Chris is already a presence in many aspects of the music scene, including recording sessions, Toronto's many diverse live music clubs, festivals across Canada, The United States and Europe, as a music journalist, and teaching music in schools or out of his own studio.

Jazz is what drew Chris into music, and in his playing, one can hear the influence of many of the icons of the music. Chris has played with many of jazz' current heavyweights, including Chris Potter, Kurt Elling, Dave Douglas as well as the finest jazz musicians in Canada, including Don Thompson, Richard Underhill and Steve Kirby. Additionally, Chris leads his own band, the Lower Etobicoke Sound with some of Toronto's best young jazz musicians. The Lower Etobicoke Sound, performing at many Toronto venues, features Chris’ compositional voice, playing largely original music that reflects his life experience and love of world music.

Moving to Toronto and experiencing its diversity first hand brought many forms of world music into Chris' life, as he has quickly established himself as a first call trombone player to Toronto's many Cuban and Brazilian bands, including the Juno award winning Hilario Duran Latin Jazz Big Band, Luis Mario Ochoa's Cimarron and Maninho Costa's Batucada Carioca.

Still a young man at the age of 23, Chris has established himself as a bright light in Canada’s music scene, and there is no telling how far he will go. What is sure, however, that listeners will be enjoying Chris' music for many years to come.

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