Modus Bone, West Columbia, SC
Modus Bone is a 5 piece instrumental jazz, funk, and fusion ensemble consisting of trombone, saxophone, bass, keyboard and drums (vocals as additional option). Their goal is to convey the music of many styles through the jazz idiom. From Duke Ellington to Stevie Wonder and beyond, this collaboration of musicians strives to express the concept of togetherness on the bandstand. From private events to feature concerts to the downtown nightspot, Modus Bone delivers quality music appropriate for the occasion.
Individually, these talented and in demand musicians have performed in many circles and circuits. The band members have achieved many individual accomplishments including commercial recordings, touring dates, international performances, and collaborations with some of the greats in jazz music.
From private events to feature concerts to the downtown nightspot, Modus Bone delivers quality music appropriate for the occasion.
Modus Bone is also a vessel of music education, as the group has conducted clinics, seminars, and educational/historical concerts.
Mitch Butler - Leader/Trombonist
Dr. Mitchell Butler is a native of Raleigh, NC and currently calls Columbia, SC home. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Music Performance from East Carolina University. Dr. Butler is also a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Doctor of Music Arts degree in Music Performance.
Dr. Butler was the trombonist and leader of the jazz/fusion group Nebulous Jazztet from 2001 to 2006 and is currently leader of Modus Bone and the Mitch Butler Trio. These groups serve as entertainment and educational ensembles for the Triangle area of North Carolina and the Midlands of South Carolina, performing in venues ranging from night clubs to jazz festivals to music seminars. He was also the solo trombonist in the well renowned North Carolina Jazz Repertoire Orchestra led by Jazz Trumpeter and Educator Jim Ketch from 1999 to 2006.
Dr. Butler was a member of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra headed by world renowned trumpeter Irvin Mayfield from 2008 to 2011. In February of 2010 the N.O.J.O. won the Grammy Award for large jazz ensemble with the release of the recording Book One - a recording that Mitch is featured on. Dr. Butler is also the solo trombonist for the international award winning jazz group JazzBonez featuring six trombones and rhythm section. Contributions to The New Five Jazz Project based in Austin, Texas and the John Brown Jazz Orchestra based in Durham, NC have also proven to be important to his musical development as a performer, composer, and educator. He has also performed and/or recorded with musical greats such as John Brown, Curtis Fuller, Derrick Gardner, Vincent Gardner, Aaron Graves, Benny Green, Tim Hagans, Slide Hampton, Tom Harrell, Andre Hayward, Conrad Herwig, Brad Leali, Branford Marsalis, Jason Marshall, Bob Mintzer, Melton Mustafa, Dick Oates, Bill Reichenbach, Rufus Reid, Herlin Riley, Stephen Riley, Adonis Rose, Grady Tate, Billy Taylor, Gregory Tardy, The Temptations, Ray Vega, Fred Wesley, and Ron Westray among many others.
Much time has also been invested as an educator in jazz studies. Dr. Butler was named the Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of Music at Claflin University in Orangeburg, SC. Dr. Butler has also held faculty and teaching positions at several institutions including Durham School of the Arts, East Carolina University, North Carolina Central University, Elon University, the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, and the University of Texas at Austin.
Mitch Butler is an exclusive Michael Rath Trombones artist and clinician.
Reggie Sullivan - Electric and acoustic bass
Jeremy Roberson - Drums
Nick Brewer - Piano/Keyboard
Chris Andrews - Saxophones
Mitch Butler - Trombone
Cheri Maree - Vocals, (optional)
Modus Bone Discography
Modus Demo
Modus Bone
Raleigh, NC 2006
Mitchell Butler Discography
Book One 2010 Grammy Award
Irvin Mayfield and the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra
New Orleans, LA 2008
World Village
Watch It! (2012 release)
JazzBonez
Label Pending
San Marcos, TX 2010
Setting Standards vol. 1 (2012 release)
John Brown Jazz Orchestra
Kernersville, NC 2009
Setting Standards vol. 2 (2012 release)
John Brown Jazz Orchestra
Kernersville, NC 2011
Blues for the Tribe
Baron Tymas
Durham, NC 2005
Tymas Music
