Immediately after his stint with the
USAF Academy Band Paul pursued, and graduated with, a master’s
degree in trumpet performance at the University of
Denver, under the guidance of Joseph Docksey.
While in Denver, he was an
active and versatile freelancer. This experience
helped prepare him for the demands of studio and live work in
Nashville, including TV shows, jingles, and recordings.
Paul also had the invaluable experience
of studying, for several years, with William Adam of
Indiana University. There are no words to express how much Mr.
Adam’s inspiration brought to Paul’s life. Mr. Adam was wonderfully
helpful in encouraging Paul to practice, think, and teach at a much
higher level.
Since moving
to Florida, Paul has continued performing at a high
level of professionalism. His outstanding versatility on all
trumpets and styles keeps him much sought after from contractors
needing to cover demanding performance situations on trumpet,
including being featured on Baroque piccolo trumpet,
playing lead for Broadway shows, playing principal for
opera companies, and being the featured soloist in
numerous jazz groups. Keyboard
performance demands range from reggae groups to
jazz trios to R&B groups. Paul is renowned for
his work ethic, professionalism, and highly musical approach to all
performance situations and idioms. He constantly strives to be
better.
As an
educator, Paul has developed a full jazz curriculum at
Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL.
There he also teaches
trumpet, guitar, jazz/commercial vocal, song writing, and music
production. Students and peers have a high regard for Paul’s
loving, patient approach to teaching and his high level of expertise in
various aspects of the music business. Numerous students have won
awards, graduate scholarships, gained
recording contracts, sold songs, and
prospered as music teachers and music ministers under
Paul’s guidance. Paul’s studio at SEU also includes a recording
facility that he created, and has established as a songwriter’s
haven. He continues to enjoy a teaching career that includes beginners
to professionals.
Paul’s
writing career has been as widely varied as his performance
career. His original compositions and arrangements include solo
and ensemble pieces for jazz (an example is the critically
acclaimed music from the High Pockets recording) and brass groups
(commissions include a trumpet solo with trumpet ensemble for
Phil Smith, principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic)
to TV work (Music City Live).
Paul has had an
invaluable friend and patron in John Almeida, trumpet
professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. John has
commissioned Paul to write numerous pieces for the UCF Trumpet Ensemble,
and for Orlando’s professional brass ensemble, Horns and Pipes.
Paul maintains a busy writing schedule for his own groups, but has an
avid interest in accepting commissions from other individuals or groups.
Paul loves, and
excels at, working with younger musicians. Promoting strong ideals and
standards in music is an essential part of Paul’s work. He encourages a
commitment to excellence for all styles of music, whether it be
classical or commercial/jazz genres. This passion drives his ongoing
interest in pursuing solo engagements with schools, master classes,
workshops, and private lessons at all levels.
If you
are interested in contacting Paul, you can reach him at
pbutcher@seuniversity.edu.
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