clarinet
Paul Butler is a spirited musician, passionate teacher and gifted improvisor whose music can be heard throughout the world both in live performance and on numerous recordings.
Paul has performed in concert with Grammy Award-winning cellist David Darling, most notably at the International Cello Festival in Montreal, Canada with violinist Helmut Lipsky. He has collaborated with David on the recordings Balance, In Tune, and Open Window, and on the soundtrack for the Knosis film, The Song of the Stars.
Paul can be heard with the trio, Bridges And Poems, with guitarist Robert Weinstein and percussionist John Marshall, on the score for the PBS documentary “Peter Matthiessen: No Boundaries” and on the Paula Josa-Jones work “Ride”, a theatrical performance work for horses, dancers and riders that explores the sensuous and archetypal bond between horse and human through a powerful mix of music, dance, and aerial ballet.
In 1999, Paul and the Hot House Trio (with Eric Henry, tuba, Jim Smith, tenor guitar and vocals) were selected Jazz Ambassadors to the Middle East by the U.S. State Department and the Department of Cultural Exchange. As Jazz Ambassadors, they performed and taught in Syria, Jordan, Qatar, Bahrain, Morocco, and Tunisia.
Paul’s music can also be heard on Gothic Storm, a music library for the film industry.
Paul earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education degree from Mansfield University and is a certified Music For People teacher, leading workshops in music improvisation for self – expression and is committed to sharing his passion for music with children of all ages.
Paul has appeared as guest artist with the Jersey Shore Pops and as a Teaching Artist with Symphony In C in their summer music program.
Paul has taught with, and is very humble to have been a member of the inaugural team of Teaching Artists for Play On Philly! – an El Sistema inspired program that “seeks to prove that music education can be a force for social change in Philadelphia” and the world.
Paul is humbled and grateful to play lead alto saxophone and clarinet in the exciting Summer Club Big Band.