Aaron Michael Butler is a percussionist/composer currently based in Athens, OH. He regularly presents concerts of contemporary solo and chamber music, and has been active in the creation of new works through commissioning composers of his generation. Recent performance highlights include the 2013 Athens International Film Festival, 2012/14 Percussive Arts Society International Conventions, the 2014 Ohio University World Music and Dance Festival with marimbist Pei-Ching Wu, a performance with Luciano Chessa's Orchestra of Futurist Noise Intoners in 2015, and the 2016 Nelsonville Music Festival. In 2010 Aaron founded the NOBROW.collective; in conjunction with the Athens International Film Festival NOBROW has commissioned Deep Earth - a large-scale, multimedia work - from composer Matthew Burtner which was premiered in April 2014.

As a composer, he frequently collaborates with artists from other disciplines including choreographers Ani Javian and Travis Gatling, filmmaker Chris Lange, and Bristol-based potter Steve Carter. His recent work includes commissions from Andrew Trachsel and the Ohio University Wind Symphony, percussionist Kyle Lutes, and a choral work for the Cincinnati Soundwebs project.

Aaron holds degrees in percussion performance from Ohio University and Centenary College of Louisiana where he studied with Roger Braun, Guy Remonko and Chan Teague. He is currently adjunct professor of music at Ohio University.

Wayward Music Series: Goldston & Butler Play Sarah Hennies

Thursday, April 11, 2024 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States

$10-$20 donation at the door

Wayward Music Series: Xyloboyz – Music for Bass Drums

Thursday, March 7, 2024 @ 8:00pm – 9:30pm (PST)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
John ZornDark River
Gérard GriseyStèle
Jonathan Rodriguez GrijalvaPillars
Aaron Michael Butler — Selected works (new work for cello, two bass drums, transducers, & objects)

$10-$20 suggested donation at the door

Sound Event Happening

Saturday, March 2, 2024 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PST)
Gallery 1412, Seattle, WA, United States
Improvisation — Selected works (Gust Burns, piano & Greg Campbell, percussion)
David GibsonLillian Brook (Aaron Michael Butler, percussion)

$5-$15 suggested donation; no one turned away for lack of funds

EJF: VERY SERIOUS music for V E R Y S E R I O U S People with Aaron Michael Butler

Saturday, August 5, 2023 @ 7:00pm – 8:00pm (PDT)
18th & Union – An Arts Space, Seattle, WA, United States

Aaron Michael Butler presents a concert of super serious percussion music for serious intellectuals (we'd say more but you, like, probably …

By donation

EJF: Drone City with Aaron Michael Butler, Lori Goldston, & Erin Jorgensen

Friday, August 4, 2023 @ 8:00pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
18th & Union – An Arts Space, Seattle, WA, United States

Sound explorations and repetitions with Aaron Michael Butler (percussion, electronics), Lori Goldston (cello), and Erin Jorgensen (amplifie…

By donation

Electric Vibes!

Thursday, May 25, 2023 @ 7:00pm – 10:00pm (PDT)
The Royal Room, Seattle, WA, United States
Heather BentleySunflower (world premiere)
Leanna KeithStrange Weather (world premiere)
Kaley Lane EatonVibraphone Piece (world premiere)

$15 advance, $20 at the door

Wayward Music Series: Aaron Michael Butler + Matt Sargent

Thursday, April 27, 2023 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Anthony DonofrioUntil Then (world premiere; Aaron Michael Butler, percussion)
Matt SargentBell Arcs (world premiere; Aaron Michael Butler, percussion)
Matt SargentFifth Illumination (Matt Sargent, electric guitar & electronics)

$10-$20 donation at the door

Wayward Music Series: Texture & Tone

Friday, February 10, 2023 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PST)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States

A showcase of deep-listening music from local fringers. Experimental ambient, noise, and sonic landscapes constructed from diverse textures…

$5-$15 donation at the door

Wayward Music Series: Aaron Butler

Thursday, June 30, 2022 @ 7:30pm – 9:00pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States
Elizabeth A. Baker — Selected works (world premiere)
Matt Sargent — Selected works (world premiere)
Justin Greene — Selected works (world premiere)

$5-$15 donation at the door

Wayward Music Series: Vibe Check

Tuesday, June 21, 2022 @ 6:00pm – 10:00pm (PDT)
The Chapel at the Good Shepherd Center, Seattle, WA, United States

Usher in Summer Solstice with some of Seattle's finest musicians. Marimbist Erin Jorgensen is joined by Rachel Nesvig (Hardanger fiddle), L…

Free (donations accepted at the door)

Timber: a sound + light experience

Sunday, December 5, 2021 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PST)
Base: Experimental Arts + Space, Seattle, WA, United States
Math rock meets sound bath in this performance of Timber, Michael Gordon's tour-de-force scored for six virtuosic percussionists on tuned 2x4s.

$25 ($12 under $25 w/ID)

Timber: a sound + light experience

Sunday, December 5, 2021 @ 3:00pm – 5:00pm (PST)
Base: Experimental Arts + Space, Seattle, WA, United States
Math rock meets sound bath in this performance of Timber, Michael Gordon's tour-de-force scored for six virtuosic percussionists on tuned 2x4s.

$25 ($12 under $25 w/ID)

Timber: a sound + light experience

Saturday, December 4, 2021 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PST)
Base: Experimental Arts + Space, Seattle, WA, United States
Math rock meets sound bath in this performance of Timber, Michael Gordon's tour-de-force scored for six virtuosic percussionists on tuned 2x4s.

$25 ($12 under $25 w/ID)

Timber: a sound + light experience

Saturday, December 4, 2021 @ 3:00pm – 5:00pm (PST)
Base: Experimental Arts + Space, Seattle, WA, United States
Math rock meets sound bath in this performance of Timber, Michael Gordon's tour-de-force scored for six virtuosic percussionists on tuned 2x4s.

$25 ($12 under $25 w/ID)

Timber: a sound + light experience

Thursday, December 2, 2021 @ 8:00pm – 10:00pm (PST)
Base: Experimental Arts + Space, Seattle, WA, United States
Math rock meets sound bath in this performance of Timber, Michael Gordon's tour-de-force scored for six virtuosic percussionists on tuned 2x4s.

$25 ($12 under $25 w/ID)