VOLUME XXXII, No. 8 - JUNE 2005

Charles Butler by Donald Nitchie Charles Butler plays electric banjo with the high-energy newgrass fusion group Bee Speed, which is based in Nashville. The group was formed in the summer of 2004, and released their first album late last year. Charles was invited by drummer Justin Amaral to play at a Berklee College alumni party held in Nashville, and bassist Christian Grizzard was also on the gig. The three of them hit it off, and soon began recording their self-titled CD. The influences they each brought to the group are evident in the wide breadth of styles addressed in that recording. The CD includes a fairly distinctive version of Darlin´ Corey, Chick Corea´s Spain, Billy Cobham´s Red Baron, the Grateful Dead´s Black Muddy River, and several originals. Their version of Ground Speed and Blackberry Blossom seem to find commom ground between bluegrass and jazz-rock. On most of these selections, the banjo is in the spotlight, although on the two vocal numbers, Gravelyard and Dusk, it takes more of a back seat. I particularly enjoyed Butler´s original in 7/8, Radio Bean (named after a coffeehouse in Burlington, Vermont that broadcast performances). Bee Speed currently plays regularly in Nashville and throughout Alabama. Charles began playing 5-string at the age of 15. After working through Pete Wernick´s bluegrass banjo book, he began absorbing the influences of players in the local Burlington, Vermont scene, like Gordon Stone and Jamie Mansfield. After high school, he decided to pursue a musical degree, and left Vermont to study jazz performance and composition at SUNY Purchase College. Not only was Purchase of one the only schools to consider a banjo applicant, it was also close to Tony Trischka. Tony agreed to take Charles on as a student, and he was able to include his lessons in his curriculum. After finishing college, he spent time in Brooklyn, playing with various bands. Several years ago, Charles moved to Nashville. Charles lists his major musical influences as Jimmy Herring; Pat Martino; Michel Camilo; The Grateful Dead and Joni Mitchell. He says that he feels it´s important "to play with honesty. The notes coming out should be an expression of something felt by the whole group, which is why I rely heavily on improvisation and avoid pre-planned solos. The banjo always lets me do that. It´s an amazing instrument, one that has tons of unrealized potential." Charles´ banjo was originally a Nechville Aurora Borealis, but has been heavily modified by a Nashville luthier named Tom Stadler. The primary pickup is and EMG magnetic which is blended with a piezzo under the bridge. He says that he recorded their CD through two different amps simultaneously and, in most cases, panned them. One amp, a Roland VGA-5, was for a warm midrange palette, the other, a Crate acoustic guitar amp, was for bass. Though not on the recording, he also plays a Gibson RB-7 acoustic banjo. For anyone interested in an exciting blend of jazz, rock and roll and bluegrass, I recommend "Bee Speed".

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