Billy Butler
Billy Butler in 1977
Billy Butler in 1977
Background information
Born(1924-12-15)December 15, 1924
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMarch 20, 1991(1991-03-20) (aged 66)
Teaneck, New Jersey
GenresJazz
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)Guitar

William Butler Jr. (December 15, 1924 – March 20, 1991) was an American soul jazz guitarist.[1]

Career

A native of Philadelphia,[1] Butler began his career in the 1940s behind the Harlemaires. In the 1950s he was a member of a trio led by Doc Bagby and accompanied keyboardist Bill Doggett.[2][3] He co-wrote "Honky Tonk", an R&B hit for Doggett.[2][3]

Butler also worked with Al Casey, King Curtis, Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis, Bill Davison, Tommy Flanagan, Panama Francis, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Johnny Hodges, Floyd "Candy" Johnson, David "Fathead" Newman, Houston Person, Sammy Price, Jimmy Smith, Norris Turney, and Dinah Washington.[3][4]

He is credited as the guitarist on Joey Dee and the Starliters' "Peppermint Twist, Parts 1 & 2" recorded in September 1961 at the Peppermint Lounge in New York City. Part 1 of the song went to the top of the Billboard pop charts in January 1962.[5]

Butler died of a heart attack at home in Teaneck, New Jersey, in 1991.[1]

Discography

As leader

As sideman

With Gene Ammons

With King Curtis

With Bill Doggett

With Dizzy Gillespie

With John P. Hammond

With Johnny Hodges

With Illinois Jacquet

With Freddie King

With Memphis Slim

With David "Fathead" Newman

With Houston Person

With Jimmy Smith

With Sonny Stitt

With Grady Tate

With others

References

  1. ^ a b c Eagle, Bob; LeBlanc, Eric S. (2013). Blues - A Regional Experience. Santa Barbara: Praeger Publishers. p. 335. ISBN 978-0313344237.
  2. ^ a b Yanow, Scott (2013). The Great Jazz Guitarists. San Francisco: Backbeat. pp. 36–37. ISBN 978-1-61713-023-6.
  3. ^ a b c Wynn, Ron. "Billy Butler". AllMusic. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  4. ^ "William (Billy) Butler, Jazz Guitarist, 66". The New York Times. March 26, 1991.
  5. ^ de Heer, Dik. "In the can: September 1961". Members.home.nl. Archived from the original on January 16, 2017. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  6. ^ "Billy Butler | Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved April 28, 2019.

External links

Authority control databases
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