John Butcher / Eddie Prévost / Guillaume Viltard (TRIO CD Launch)

Event information

Butcher/Prevost/Viltard trio launch their new CD at Cafe OTO.

JOHN BUTCHER / saxophones

John Butcher is a saxophonist of rare grace and power, who has expanded the vocabulary of the saxophone far beyond the conventions of jazz and other musics, to encompass a staggering range of harmonics, multiphonics, overtones, percussive sounds, and electronic feedback. But his playing is far more than merely an array of special effects; it's characterised by a drive and intensity that propels music into strange new places that are both incredibly beautiful and deeply exhilarating.

“In the hands of London improvisor John Butcher, the saxophone can sound like anything, from a piece of hollowed out brass baubled with pads and valves to a hermetically sealed feedback system, a miniature sound environment teeming with ever-evolving note forms, or a huge echo chamber inflicting dub scale damage on every breath . . .” - David Keenan, The Wire


GUILLAUME VILTARD / double bass

One of the most interesting musicians to emerge from London's fertile improvised and experimental scene in the last few years, Viltard's bass playing is resolutely unamplified and powerfully physical, and has anchored and illuminated groups with the likes of Shabaka Hutchings, John Butcher, Eddie Prevost and Tony Marsh.

EDDIE PREVOST / drums, percussion

Eddie Prévost plays with immense fire, grace and invention. Founder of the essential AMM, collaborator of the greatest improvisers internationally, since the 60's he has kept a continuous contact with the scene and always manages to invent anew his contribution to "meta-music".

“Prévost's free drumming flows superbly making use of his formidable technique. It’s as though there has never been an Elvin Jones or Max Roach.” - Melody Maker