1953. Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated the 34th President of the United States, Queen Elizabeth II is crowned monarch of the United Kingdom, and the U.S.S.R detonates the hydrogen bomb. Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay are the first to reach the summit of Mt. Everest and the St. Louis Browns move to Baltimore and become the Orioles. Shane, Stalag 17 and The War of the Worlds are released that year and Fahrenheit 451, The Long Goodbye, Casino Royale and The Foundation Trilogy are published. The number one song was “Vaya con Dios.” On Monday, August 24th of that year, I was born, Edward Theolandos Butler to John and Grace Butler; their first born. (I never did care for my middle name, but it’s grown on me since.)
There was always music at the Butler house. Besides the local “soul” radio stations, Daddy had a great collection of jazz; players like Coleman Hawkins, Ben Webster, Illinois Jacquet, big bands, and the B3 with Jimmy Smith, and Shirley Scott. Momma loved the vocalist. Dinah Washington, Brooke Benton, Sarah Vaughn, Nancy Wilson and Ella. There was also gospel from Mahalia Jackson and Sister Rosetta Tharp to Aretha Franklin and James Cleveland.
I knew from day one that I wanted to play the drums. But my parents nixed that idea. They told me I’d play drums when I got my own house. So I tried a number of instruments: the harmonica, the trumpet, and the violin. I played that for about 4-5 years until I became a teenager and then it wasn’t cool. (And believe me, living in the hood was hard enough, but walking around with big “ol glasses and a violin” not cool!) A year later, my grandparents saved me and got me a guitar for my 15th birthday. Now that was cool! I took lessons at the local music store, Bill’s Music, and tried to learn the hits of the day. But I was still just a frustrated drummer.
When my grandparents passed away years later, their home in South Baltimore was left to me. So of course the first thing I got was a used set of Ludwigs. I played those things day in and day out! I didn’t think I would ever play music professionally, but I wanted to be involved with music in some way. I decided to try my hand at studio work. So a few years later I left Baltimore and headed to NYC to attend The Institute of Audio Research at NYU. Less than a year later, I ran out of money, and a friend convinced me to relocate to Chapel Hill NC.
It was a wise choice. There was (and still is) a vibrant music scene there and in the surrounding area. I eventually got a job at The Music Loft, a musical instrument store and stayed there for 24 years, all the while playing music.
Since then, I’ve played with a variety of bands and musicians all across the U.S. and Canada, throughout Europe and Northern Africa. I’ve played for prisoners and convicts, kings and queens. In small cafes and large outdoor festivals. I’ve recorded in small home studios to multi-million dollar facilities. I’ve performed on nationally syndicated T.V. shows and radio programs. Life is good.
One day, Jim Crew called and asked if I would consider being part of something special. It would be a collection of like-minded souls interested in playing original music with a flair for the exotic. Ecco La Musica was born. And after much working and re-working, here we are today.