Draft:Andrew Butt

Andrew Butt is an Australian jazz saxophonist, composer and educator based in Brisbane, Queensland. He leads the ensemble Andrew Butt Trio + and has released three albums, Here & Now (2013), Blueberry Ash (2017) and Peregian (2024). Butt is a two-time winner of the Jazz Award at the Queensland Music Awards, winning in 2013 for “The Alligator Escalator” and in 2024 for “Le Baiser Salé”. He is also a recipient of a Churchill Fellowship.

Career

Butt's career has encompassed performance, composition and music education. His work has included performances as a soloist with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and appearances at jazz festivals and venues in Australia and internationally.

In 2013, Butt won the Jazz Award at the Queensland Music Awards for his composition “The Alligator Escalator”, from the album Here & Now.

Two of Butt's compositions, “The Alligator Escalator” and “Lullaby for Sarah-Jane & Catherine”, are included in the Australian Jazz Real Book.

The Andrew Butt Trio performed with Australian singer Wilma Reading at the 2015 Brisbane International Jazz Festival. Reviewing the festival for All About Jazz, Ian Patterson discussed the trio's performance of material from Here & Now, including “The Alligator Escalator” and “Summer '14”.

Butt released his second album with Andrew Butt Trio +, Blueberry Ash, in 2017. The recording consists predominantly of original compositions alongside the group's interpretation of David Raksin and Johnny Mercer's “Love Song from Apache”. Barry O'Sullivan reviewed the album for All About Jazz, discussing Butt's compositions and playing and the contributions of pianist Kellee Green and guitarist Toby Wren.

In 2024, Andrew Butt Trio + won the Jazz Award at the Queensland Music Awards for “Le Baiser Salé”.

“Le Baiser Salé” subsequently appeared on Peregian, the third Andrew Butt Trio + album, released in 2024.

Peregian received reviews in several Australian music publications. Barry O'Sullivan reviewed the album in Fine Music Magazine. Des Cowley reviewed it in Rhythms, discussing its predominantly Butt-composed material and pieces including “Le Baiser Salé” and “Jazz Socks”. Julia Messenger reviewed the album in Dingo Australian Jazz Journal, discussing its relationship to place and memory and compositions including “Le Baiser Salé” and the title track.

Andrew Butt Trio + was named a finalist in the Jazz category of the 2025 Queensland Music Awards for “Peregian”.

Butt has performed internationally as a musician and educator, including appearances at jazz venues in Paris, Budapest and Prague.

In addition to his performing and composing work, Butt is a member of the committee of the Brisbane International Jazz Festival, with responsibility for interstate acts, educational programs and production.

Education and research

In 2011, Butt received a Special Commendation, Teacher Award in the National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education.

In 2013, he received a Churchill Fellowship to undertake research in the United States examining pathways in jazz education from secondary school to professional performance.

He later completed a PhD at the University of Queensland titled Jazz Up North Down Under: An inquiry into jazz performance, culture and identity through collaborative recitals in Queensland, Australia. His research focuses on areas including artistic research through live performance, identity, culture and music education. He is an Honorary Lecturer in the university's School of Music.

Discography

• Here & Now (2013)
• Blueberry Ash (2017)
• Peregian (2024)

Awards and honours

• Australian Society for Music Education – Special Commendation, Teacher Award, National Awards for Excellence in School Music Education (2011)
• Churchill Fellowship (2013)
• Queensland Music Award – Jazz Award winner, “The Alligator Escalator” (2013)
• Queensland Music Award – Jazz Award winner, “Le Baiser Salé” (2024)
• Queensland Music Award – Jazz Award finalist, “Peregian” (2025)