bee speed

bio:
Bee Speed is an instrumental trio featuring electric banjo, bass and drums. They have fused the influences of jazz, bluegrass, latin, and world music to create a sound that is all their own. With exceptional musicianship, innovative originals, and a few carefully chosen cover songs, Bee Speed is quickly building a reputation as a must see band.

Electric banjo player Charles Butler, bassist Christian Grizzard and drummer Justin Amaral were all drawn to Nashville at different times by a search for better music. When the three eventually met and played together there was a connection from beat one, and Bee Speed was soon formed.

Bee Speed released a debut CD in early 2005. Fans and critics of almost every genre have been praising this genre-bending band, including Bassics, Modern Drummer and Banjo Newsletter magazines. Shake Magazine writes: "Bee Speed is unlike any other group out there. This interesting trio features electric banjo as lead instrument alongside a solid as stone rhythm section of Christian Grizzard on bass and Justin Amaral on drums. Charles Butler is moving the banjo into new territory not even traversed by the like of Bela Fleck. He plays electric guitar riffs and finds a multitude of different tonal approaches on banjo to an extent where the listener forgets what instrumentation is making this fine music."

Charles Butler hails from Burlington, VT, and has studied with some of the great banjo players of our time, including Tony Triscka and Gordon Stone. He has found a distinct voice on the banjo, one that is light on twang and heavy on tones and articulation more usual in the guitar world. Charles has performed with Langhorne Slim, The Ruffians and Rachael Warwick, and his music has been featured on releases from Narnack, CMH, Purchase and Capitol Records.

Originally from Atlanta, GA, bassist Christian Grizzard has performed with Gravy, Kung Fu Mama, Larry Keel, Jeff Sipe and New Orleans fire-dancing queen, Commanda Galactica. His touring has taken him to most of the United States, The Virgin Islands, Europe and The Middle East. A few of the acts Christian has shared stages with are R.L. Burnside, The Codetalkers featuring Col. Bruce Hampton, Karl Denson, The Derailers, Drivin´ & Cryin´, Chris Duarte, Tinsley Ellis, The Everly Brothers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Meters, Kool and the Gang, John Prine, Strut, The Derek Trucks Band, Robert Walters, Carlos Washington and Widespread Panic.

Drummer/percussionist Justin Amaral grew up in the Boston, MA area and graduated from Berklee College of Music where he studied with some of the world´s finest drummers. He has toured with former Phish trumpeter, El Buho, which included a performance with bassist Mike Gordon at the Tulsa Jam Fest. Justin has also performed with The Mothers of Invention, The Guy Smiley Blues Exchange and Highwater, and once found himself on-stage in a spontaneous jam with John Medeski and DJ Logic.