RECORDING SESSIONS #8: BUTCHER + BERESFORD

John Butcher’s work ranges through improvisation, his own compositions, multitracked pieces and explorations with feedback, unusual acoustics and non-concert locations.
Originally a physicist, he left academia in ’82, and has since collaborated with hundreds of musicians – Derek Bailey, John Tilbury, John Stevens, The EX, Akio Suzuki, Gerry Hemingway, Polwechsel, Gino Robair, Rhodri Davies, Okkyung Lee, John Edwards, Toshi Nakamura, Paul Lovens, Eddie Prevost, Mark Sanders, Christian Marclay, Otomo Yoshihide, Phil Minton, and Andy Moor – to name a few.

Steve Beresford started playing piano at age 7, studied the classical repertoire of the instrument and was encouraged to investigate orchestral music (through the trumpet) at age 15 in preparation for reading music at university. Though playing the Hammond organ in a soul group offering covers of Otis Redding, Sam and Dave and Motown hits occupied much of his time and most of his enthusiasm, he still was persuaded to study music at York University. On completion of his course, he stayed in York, working in theatre groups and working men’s clubs, but also playing improvised music and promoting it, putting on, for example, the duo of Derek Bailey and Han Bennink at the University.

Since moving to London in 1974, Beresford has been involved in hundreds of music projects, working across the full spectrum from free improvisation through jazz-based material to pop, reggae and MOR songs and on to fully scored music for films, dance and even corporate contracts.

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