Butcher Brown return with “Montrose Forest ft. Nicholas Payton”, out now on Concord Jazz

Richmond, Virginia’s Butcher Brown return to the fold with their new single, “Montrose Forest” feat. Nicholas Payton out now via Concord Jazz. The band just began a new European tour, followed by a special December date at The National in their hometown.

“Montrose Forest” begins soft and smooth, carried by a funky percussive line and barely there bassline that slip the listener in slowly. Other melodies echo in the distance, hinting at greater sounds to come; those arrive in a brilliant, regal blast of horns and synths. Midway through, trumpeter Nicholas Payton takes control, his horn serving as the through line for the remainder of the track.

“‘Montrose Forest’ is an ode to a remote Richmond studio spot off in the woods – nothing but land and peace,” the band shares. “We hit a special wavelength creating music there, and being from Virginia with so much rich history to vibe from, that’s all in the music.”

“Having Nicholas Payton guest on the track is an honor, and a full circle moment for us as Butcher Brown. We first linked with him 10 years ago on our first album, ‘All Purpose Music.’ Nicholas Payton is among the last of the ‘Young Lions’ – that golden generation of jazz artists that had a direct link to the legends, like Louis Armstrong. We’re hyped to spin the block again and tell a new story with him on this single.” 

Butcher Brown’s most recent album, Solar Music, saw them enlisting artists like Nappy Nina (“Half of It”), Pink Siifu (“Eye Never Know,” “Run It Up”), Jay Prince (“Move”), and Charlie Hunter to bring their vision to life. Clearly, the vision resonated, with The FADER describing the album as “a leather-smooth guided tour through a rip in spacetime.” Solar Music also garnered praise from the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Bandcamp among others, along with eventually snagging themselves a coveted spot on NPR’s Tiny Desk.

Currently Butcher Brown are playing dates across Europe, making stops in the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, Spain, Belgium and Italy, followed by a hometown performance Dec. 7 in Richmond at The National.

2024 Butcher Brown Tour Dates

Nov. 7 – Dortmund, Germany – Domicil

Nov. 8 – Bremen, Germany – Theater Bremen

Nov. 9 – Frankfurt, Germany – Jazz Montez

Nov. 10 – Lille, France – L’Aéronef

Nov. 12 – Brugge, Belgium – Cactus Café

Nov. 14 – Orléans, France – L’Astrolabe

Nov. 15 – Eindhoven, Netherlands – Effenaar

Nov. 16 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Paradiso | Super Sonic Jazz Festival

Nov. 17 – Groningen, Netherlands – De Oosterpoort

Nov. 18 – Barcelona, Spain – Sala Apolo 2

Nov. 19 – Madrid, Spain – Sala Villanos

Nov. 20 – Bologna, Italy – Sghetto Club

Nov. 21 – Milan, Italy – Blue Note

Nov. 22 – Rome, IT ~ Palazzo

Nov. 23 – London, UK – Jazz Café

Dec. 7 – Richmond, VA – The National