BILLY BUTTERFIELD

Multi instrumentalist Charles William ‘Billy’ Butterfield  was born in 1917 and might have been a doctor had music not steered him in a different direction. He joined Bob Crosby’s band in 1937 and later was a sideman in the bands of Artie Shaw, Benny Goodman and Les Brown, debuting on record under his own name in 1949. He recorded for several labels, including (U.S.) Columbia where he worked with Ray Conniff) before signing with Joy Records for one album, ‘The New Dance Sound of Billy Butterfield’  in 1965. Billboard magazine  gave the album a very positive ‘Pop Spotlight’ review in March 1965 and a single ‘The Dixatay’ c/w ‘Walk Right In’ from the album was released the month before and got a B+ (Very Good) review in Cashbox magazine. Butterfield died in March 1988.