Butcher Brown

Biography

Butcher Brown is a genre-defying band formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2009, emerging from the city’s vibrant music scene and the jazz program at Virginia Commonwealth University. The founding members—DJ Harrison (Devonne Harris, keys), Corey Fonville (drums), Andrew Randazzo (bass), Marcus 'Tennishu' Tenney (trumpet, saxophone, vocals), and later Morgan Burrs (guitar)—bonded over a shared love of jazz, funk, soul, and hip-hop, often gathering for jam sessions at Harrison’s home studio, Jellowstone. Their early years were marked by a DIY ethos, recording and producing their own music while collaborating with a wide range of local artists and ensembles.

The group’s sound is rooted in jazz fusion but seamlessly incorporates elements of neo-soul, P-funk, boom-bap hip-hop, and psychedelic rock, resulting in a 'musical melting pot' that defies strict categorization. Their discography includes the ambitious debut 'All Purpose Music' (2014), the jazz-funk 'Camden Session' (2018), and the genre-blurring '#KingButch' (2020), among others. Butcher Brown’s live performances, including a celebrated NPR Tiny Desk Concert and tours with artists like Kamasi Washington, have solidified their reputation for energetic improvisation and stylistic versatility. Their legacy is that of a forward-thinking collective that honors tradition while continually pushing boundaries, inspiring a new generation of musicians in and beyond Richmond.

Fun Facts

• Butcher Brown’s home base, Jellowstone Studio, was founded by DJ Harrison and has become a creative hub for Richmond’s music community.
• Their 2018 EP 'Afrokuti' is a tribute to Afrobeat pioneer Fela Kuti.
• The band’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert showcased their genre-blending style and improvisational prowess to a global audience.
• Marcus Tenney, aka Tennishu, is not only a multi-instrumentalist but also raps on several tracks, further expanding the group’s sound.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Ohbliv - Richmond producer whose beat tapes influenced the band's early sound and jam sessions (Beat tapes, local collaborations) [2010s]
• Joe Henderson - Jazz saxophonist whose album 'Power to the People' was a key inspiration for the band’s approach to jazz fusion ('Power to the People') [Referenced throughout band's formation]
• D’Angelo - Neo-soul artist whose innovative blending of soul, funk, and jazz influenced Butcher Brown’s stylistic approach (General influence from D’Angelo's catalog) [Ongoing]

Key Collaborators

• Marcus 'Tennishu' Tenney - Band member (trumpet, saxophone, vocals), also contributed rapping and songwriting (All albums, especially '#KingButch') [2009–present]
• DJ Harrison (Devonne Harris) - Band member (keys, producer), founder of Jellowstone Studio, central to the band's sound and recording process (All albums, Jellowstone Studio projects) [2009–present]
• Corey Fonville - Band member (drums), key to the group’s rhythm section (All albums) [2009–present]
• Andrew Randazzo - Band member (bass), foundational to the group’s groove and compositional style (All albums) [2009–present]
• Morgan Burrs - Guitarist, joined in 2017, brought new energy and influences to the band (Albums post-2017, including 'Camden Session', '#KingButch') [2017–present]
• Alex Isley - Collaborated on a cover of Patrice Rushen’s 'Remind Me' ('Remind Me' (2021)) [2021]

Artists Influenced

• Richmond jazz and hip-hop scene - Inspired a new wave of genre-blending artists and ensembles in Richmond through their collaborative and DIY approach (Jellowstone Studio projects, local mentorship) [2010s–present]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Unwind [Feat. Melanie Charles]
2. Tidal Wave (#KingButch)
3. Dinorah Dinorah
4. For Roy 2.0 (For Roy 2.0)
5. Ibiza
6. Remind Me
7. Montrose Forest featuring Nicholas Payton
8. No Way Around It (Solar Music)
9. Triple Trey - Intro / How Much A Dollar Cost / Instrumental (Butcher Brown Presents Triple Trey (Instrumentals))
10. Fohbliv (All Purpose Music)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia