PAUL BUTLER

early bowed & plucked strings

Paul Butler is a multi-instrumentalist concentrating primarily on stringed instruments, especially early fiddles and harp. He has dabbled in a number of styles ranging from Celtic Folk to Near Eastern to Japanese, but most of his concentration has been in historical performance of medieval and Renaissance music. He researches these ancient traditions, and makes and performs on early instruments such as the rebec, vielle, citole, bray harp, recorder, and early reed instruments. He has appeared at festivals, museums, and schools performing and demonstrating historical music. He has performed with the SCA dance band the Branslers for over 30 years as one of its original founders, the Ren/Celtic folk bands Burlap Lute and Rabbit Stampede, and the Eastern European themed Karpathos. Paul was musical director for the Philadelphia taiko ensemble Kyodaiko and has participated in various projects from Viking music to modern rock.