Damon Butcher, best known for his work with The Beautiful South, is experienced in a wide range of music. Classically trained from the age of seven, his early grounding came from night club and cabaret work, cruise ships and show bands. He also toured with the legendary Steve Marriott in the 70’s, this being an ‘in-at-the-deep-end’ introduction to Rock and Roll.

Moving to London in the early 80’s he worked on the then busy session scene, recording music for television such as the skits for “Spitting Image” and incidental music with Harry South, composer of “The Sweeney” theme. He was soon spotted and recommended for the keyboard chair with jazz-funk outfit Morrissey Mullen, with whom he gigged extensively for two years or so and played on their “It’s About Time” album and Jim Mullen’s solo album “Thumbs Up”.

He later recorded with ‘Everything But The Girl’ for their “Idlewild” album going on to tour with them and also to appear on subsequent albums: “The Language of Life” and “Worldwide”. Experience in Salsa was gained gigging with Roberto Campoverdi’s ‘Cayenne’. He also toured with 90’s Trip Hop artist ‘Tricky’, successfully tackling the task of translating the seminal sample based album “Maxinquaye” for the live stage.

Up until The Beautiful South’s break up in 2007, he arranged recorded and toured with them for a good nineteen years, appearing on all but the first of their twelve albums, including the hit singles “Rotterdam” and “Perfect Ten”.