About
Scurvy’s music is a cacophony of angular melodies, interlocking rhythms, and unrestrained improv couched in brutal instrumental rock. Infinitely dynamic, and wildly inventive, the sum result is a swath of interlocking rhythms and otherworldly textures.
Scurvy began as a vehicle for saxophonist/composer Johnny Butler to explore musical and conceptual ideas outside of the traditional boundaries. Although their music is frequently labeled jazz, Scurvy defies categorization, blending metal, noise, punk, brutal prog, and free improvisation.
While on their debut tour of northeastern and midwestern US, Scurvy recorded their first album LEGS, which captured the group’s budding and limitless energy. Since then, Scurvy continues to maintain a full calendar of performances throughout the region alongside groups such as The Fringe, Weasel Walter, Mostly Other People Do The Killing, Altamira, Le Loup, Zevious, Cutest Puppy in the World, The Flat Can Co. and others.
Scurvy includes members, ex-members, and guests of the Skeletons, Andrew D’Angelo Curtis Hasselbring Big Band, Little Women, Capillary Action, Afuche, Bell, the Infinite Orchestra, and the Brinsk.
Johnny Butler compositions, saxophone, electronics
Ryan Snow trombone
Adam Caine electric guitar
Rus Wimbish electric bass
Jason Nazary drums
- "Scurvy: catch it. When we heard that Scurvy was launching its first tour of the Northeast, we immediately thought of grabbing some fruit and staying off boats. But it turns out there's no need. This Scurvy isn't a disease, it's an experimental jazz outfit with a penchant for dissonance and skittering guitars...the Fringe is scheduled to follow."
- Nick Zaino, Boston Globe
- "Experimental/rock/jazz group Scurvy getting some legs and heading off on a Northeast tour. Tonight they bid a brief farewell to NYC with a free show. Scurvy kind of sounds like the New York Howl playing at Tonic (RIP) or Zebulon so if that's your digs - or you want to do something new before celebrating the first warm night of summer, then this may be it."
- Chris Lehault, FreeNYC
- “The mention of Scurvy brings to mind images of pirates with bleeding gums and limited access to fresh fruit. The New York City–based band that has taken Scurvy as its moniker, however, is imbuing the word with a slightly more pleasant meaning. Scurvy’s music combines that of the ubiquitous jam bands you mistakenly saw all the time in college and the experimental free jazz you later learned to love; the result is steady Latin beats that give way to improvisational freakouts. This interplay between structure and chaos...certainly better than a fatal deficiency in vitamin C.”
- Matthew A. Stern, Washington City Paper
- "Put on your pirate patch and lend an ear to the crazy experimental rockers called Scurvy. It's an instrumental extravaganza...”
- Julie Garcia, ThePalestra.com
- "This touring jazz band featuring Obie alum Johnny Butler passes through Oberlin College. Come witness the eventual fate of those skilled and jazzy..."
- Oberlin Review