Californian percussionist Gino Robair first played with John Butcher in a 1997 recording session at Myles Boisen's Oakland studio. Some pieces from that day have been released on two Meniscus CDs - Music on Seven Occasions and Buddy Systems.

The next year they formed a trio with bassist Matthew Sperry (whom Butcher had met at the 1995 Company concerts in Vancouver). The trio recorded 12 Milagritos, and played the Vancouver Jazz Festival in 2001.
It was a great shock when Matthew was killed by a car driver, in June 2003. A site dedicated to his memory can be visited at: Matthew Sperry.

Continuing as a duo, Robair and Butcher toured the UK in 2000 - an undertaking with distinctive qualities - and have continued to explore duo possibilities in the studio. New Oakland Burr is their latest release, and focusses on extreme techniques, including close miked/feedback sax and Robair's work with electric motors, e-bow and polystyrene.

Fortunately it has been possible to keep in regular playing contact, including at the Berlin FMP Festival and London's Vortex.

New Oakland Burr

order CD

On Rastascan.

John Butcher: soprano and tenor saxophones, amplified/feedback or acoustic.
Gino Robair: ebow snare, cymbals, faux dax, motor, toy reed, styrofoam.

read: One Final Note :: Dusted

Guerrilla Mosaics

Studio recording from Oakland, California: 2002
Robair/Butcher with Miya Masaoka - koto

full info: 482 Music

read: Paris Transatlantic :: allmusic

Liverpool (Bluecoat)
Concert

Butcher/Robair duo - Live at the Bluecoat Arts Centre, Liverpool: 2000

full info: Limited Sedition

read: Jazz Weekly

12 Milagritos

order CD

Studio recording from Oakland, California: 1998
Robair/Butcher with Matthew Sperry - double bass

twelve statements of exuberance given momentum by a subtle delicacy
actuellecd

full info: Spool

read: Jazz Weekly :: allmusic

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