S2 E59 PAUL BUTLER, Drummer/Percussionist Cirque Du Soleil 'Corteo', 'Kooza', & 'Kurios', 'Band of the South Australia Police', 'Adelaide Symphony Orchestra', 'Adelaide Arts Orchestra' and many others

BAND IT ABOUT - Podcast Series

Adelaide Drummer/Percussionist PAUL BUTLER joins me in The Engine Room this week to discuss his musical journey which began at an early age due to being born into a musical family. Paul's parents had been performing for many years and through their involvement in the industry, it was a given that he too would follow this path. As a child, Paul was fascinated with drums, and he first began to play them when Steve Staben offered to teach him. He was 10 years old when he first began playing at church services, and in year 6 he began taking drum lessons with Don Crook, his teacher at Sunrise Primary School and Temple Christian College, through to year 11. Paul joined his first band (away from the church) 'Spank n Funk' when he was in high school, he also began teaching after having done work experience with Don. In year 12 he began to study percussion with acclaimed teacher Jim Bailey, helping him to prepare for auditioning for The Adelaide Elder Conservatorium of Music. Jim Bailey was the Head of Percussion at the Elder Conservatorium, where Paul successfully gained the David Galliver Memorial scholarship and won a number of prizes at national percussion eisteddfods. Paul was percussion section leader of The Elder Conservatorium Wind Ensemble, and member of The Symphony Orchestra and Percussion Ensemble. Paul completed his study achieving his Bachelor of Music and Honors in Percussion Performance. Jim mentioned that the Band of the South Australia Police were looking for someone for an upcoming event and asked Paul if he would be interested which of course he was. Paul enjoying playing with them and when he heard that they had an opening he successfully auditioned. Paul worked with the band for 7 years and during this time he gave workshops to schools, performed at numerous state events and official government ceremonies in a variety of groups, Parade Band, Wind Orchestra, Dixie Band, Big Band, Rock Patrol, School Beat Band and Percussion Ensemble. Highlights include the Sensational Adelaide Police Tattoo 2006, the Commonwealth Bank Police Tattoo 2008, Musikschau der Nationen 2008 in Bremen, Germany, and the Basel Tattoo 2010 in Switzerland. Paul has also played the corporate and club scene of Adelaide; he was resident percussionist at Savvy Bar and Vodka Bar. He has also performed with: The Baker Boys, The Revue, Bloky’s Boys, The Attack, Wasabi, The Shizzle, Triple Score, Astronaut 7 Mammoth Logic, Squeaker, Porkie Pies, Matt Winter Band, and The Rules. As a freelance artist he has worked with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Adelaide Arts Orchestra and played numerous shows throughout the Adelaide Fringe Festival, WOMADelaide, Cabaret Festival, and Feast Festival, alongside such names as Jon English, Todd McKenney, Cameron Daddo, and Julie Anthony. Paul’s introduction to 'Cirque du Soleil' was through Ben Todd who had been performing with the company and suggested he audition. Paul auditioned but wasn't successful, a few months later he was invited to audition again, this time he was, so he gave the military band his notice, packed up and went overseas to join his first Cirque show 'Corteo'. Paul was with that show for 5 years touring through Europe, South America, Central America, and Mexico. He then auditioned for KOOZA, and was on that show for 3 years touring Australia, Asia, Singapore, China, Korea, and Europe. Paul joined KURIOS after another audition and was excited to be touring with this show as they were bringing the show to his hometown Adelaide in 2020. They performed in Sydney and Brisbane before remaining dates were postponed due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Paul will be re-joining Cirque overseas early in the new year.

Music intro "Band It About" written & recorded by Catherine Lambert & Michael Bryant, outro Paul Butler's final 'KOOZA' drum solo. BAND IT ABOUT Links: https://linktr.ee/banditaboutpodcastseries

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