Benjamin Butler (Musician)
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Ben Butler grew up in Australia, discovered the guitar at around the age of 8 and by the age of 15 was playing clubs with a rock’n’roll band. At this point he pretty much knew what he wanted to do with his life. After High School Ben attended music school at the National Institute of the Arts (Canberra), studying Jazz with guitarist Dave Kain and received the "Student of the Year" award upon graduation. He then moved to Sydney where he began life as a full-time professional musician. His mentors at this time were world-renowned Australian guitarist Tommy Emmanuel and Australian jazz-rock pioneer Jim Kelly. He quickly found himself recording and performing with Australian legends such as Richard Clapton, Rene Geyer, Russel Morris and Jimmy Barnes, as well as leading his own instrumental groups.
With a desire to continue his musical growth and meet new challenges, Ben decided to head towards the United States, from where he drew much of his musical inspiration. With the help of a grant from the Arts Council of Australia and a scholarship from Berklee College of music, Ben moved to Boston in 1992. While at Berklee Ben studied composition, arranging and music production as well as taking private guitar lessons with Jon Damien, Rick Peckham, Mike Stern, Wayne Krantz Scott Henderson and Steve Khan.
Ben was also featured in Berklee's "Guitar Night" concerts, "Zildjian Day" concert performing with Dennis Chambers, and represented Berklee in Jazz Festivals in Europe and Canada. At this time Ben was focused on writing music for his own electric-jazz group and was performing in Sydney, Boston and New York. Having thoroughly enjoyed the Berklee experience for two years, Ben decided to move to New York in 1994. Since then Ben has worked with an incredible variety of artists as a guitarist, recording and touring throughout the United States, Europe and Australia, and has also lead many projects as a musical director, songwriter and producer. "With each new project I strive to establish new musical relationships, reach new audiences and broaden my musical palette... to always be learning, and always enjoying the process- isn't that what it's all about?"
