Teaching in a recording studio environment gives me certain advantages that are not usually present in most teaching environments. The onsite technology and software allows for very high quality audio monitoring, recording of lessons, pitch and time manipulation of audio files (Transcribe!), notation (Finale), creation of guitar fingerboard diagrams (Neck Diagrams), printing of materials, internet access and much more. I encourage students to bring their own USB flash drive for easy sharing of files. There is also capacity at my facility for large workshops, masterclasses and clinics.
Videos
I THOUGHT IT'D BE FUN TO POST SOME VIDEOS OF PROJECTS THAT I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH AS A GUITARISt and (in some cases) COMPOSER, arranger AND PRODUCER.
This is an early version of my finger-style arrangement of Rodgers and Heart’s “My Romance” which features some percussive techniques and a brief impromptu chord solo at the end. I really enjoy playing this style of Jazz guitar, it’s (for me) very challenging and also really fun when it works! This arrangement has gone through a bunch of revisions since this video was recorded at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music in 2020 or so. I’ll post an update when I get a chance to re-record it.
This is a COVID-lockdown virtual performance with an organ trio that I perform with featuring Dan Schneck on the Hammond organ and Jeremy Kuzniar on drums. The tune is “Gingerbread Boy” by Jimmy Heath and this is our version of Pat Bianchi’s version. Before the quarantine we had a steady gig at the Jazz Estate in Milwaukee on the last Tuesday of each month that we called “MilOrgaNight” (Milwaukee Organ Night). I miss those gigs and hope we can return soon! Video and audio production - J. Kuzniar
This is a quick performance of my semi-improvised arrangement of “Nancy with the Laughing Face” that I recorded for the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music’s 2020 Jazz Camp virtual faculty recital.
Gettin’ my rock on!! This is a clip of my guitar solo on Dan Trudell's "Fishin' Again." The band is the B3 Bombers and this gig was a live recording session at 210 Live in Highwood IL. The B3 Bombers used to feature the late, great Clyde Stubblefield (James Brown, the original Funky Drummer) on drums and this recording is a tribute to him. The lineup of this band is insane - Dan Trudell on Hammond organ and synth, Pat Malinger on alto, John Wojciechowski on tenor, Joel Adams on trombone and Dana Hall on drums. Not only some of the baddest Chicago musicians but some of the baddest musicians anywhere. iPhone video - B. Butch
I have the tremendous fortune to be the touring guitarist for the Docksiders. The Docksiders are a Yacht Rock band, which for a guitarist like me is truly paradise. The guitar parts and solos of that era (late 70’s and early 80’s) are soooo much fun to perform and back then it seems EVERY song had a guitar solo. Also, I LOVE the chord changes in that genre. I’m a HUGE Steely Dan fan as well as all the other Yacht Rock artists. The Docksiders recently landed a residency at the Venetian on the strip in Vegas! This is the very end of our show at the end of Toto’s “Rosanna.” I LOVE Steve Lukather’s playing so I play his outro solo and then we take it OUT and I get to go bonkers for a bit. My friend Jeremy Kuzniar caught me doing just that at the Pabst Theater in early 2024 on his phone.
This is a quick clip that a friend of the band grabbed at one of our gigs at Gibraltar in Milwaukee, WI. Gibraltar was a really great live music club that had a Hammond B3 thanks to Mark Theirfelder. This band, The Who's Your Daddy Trio, has been a part of my musical life for a REALLY long time. Dan Trudell and Dave Bayles are an absolute joy to play with, they do NOT hold back. The energy is insane and our chemistry is great! We were just starting pre-production on an album project when COVID hit and that will be a great way to celebrate the end of quarantine when things open up! Video - Jerry Horton
I was introduced to Aleem through my friend Kevin Sucher. They came by my studio and wanted to do an acoustic version of Aleem's single "Find Out." I arranged and played the acoustic guitar part. I'm very happy with how it came out!
This is an ad for the Kohl's Lauren Conrad clothing line. They used one of my songs, entitled "Sazzy" (my youngest daughter's nickname). The drums and percussion on this track were performed by Matt Sorum of Guns 'N Roses and Velvet Revolver.
Several-to-many years ago I co-wrote and played guitar on this track, which was released on Emma Roberts' "Unfabulous and More" album.