Michael Alan Butler
Michael Alan Butler has been a fixture in the Pacific Northwest music scene for over 40 years. Michael, in fact, has been making music since he first picked up that accordion in the mid 1950s and fell in love with performing. Raised on a diet of jazz, R & B, and rock, Michael soon expanded his range of interest to include soul, blues, folk and country, even bluegrass. From garage bands to coffee houses to touring funk groups, he's played and sung it all since his first gig in 1964 at the age of 14.
In the early 1970s Michael fronted the legendary Eugene R & B ensemble Ouroboros, providing vocals and horn section work for the only rock group to ever replace the University of Oregon marching band at Autzen Stadium. Ouroboros played every home game for one entire football season. He has the pictures to prove it. About the same time, Michael was fortunate enough to study jazz vocals with Nancy King who taught him the art and science of skat. Of all the musical genres he's absorbed, the medium of jazz, Mr. Butler tells us "is and always has been my favorite."
Eventually, Butler hit the road and toured the Western US, Canada and Alaska over the next couple of decades, playing drums and singing in so many bands there's a list "as long as your arm." In 1987 Michael wrote and recorded one of his own songs the old school way -- as a 45 record. This 45 hit the national Top 100 charts for a week or two. His dense and lengthy history on and off the road can be heard now in a voice rich with experience.
Through it all, Michael has maintained and refined his interest in jazz which finds him here and now, lovingly interpreting some very classic jazz standards on You've Changed. Michael Alan Butler brings it all to the table -- a lifetime of gigs and ability -- every time he gets up and sings. You can't ask for more than that.
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