PERFORMANCES 

With a career spanning the last 45+ years, Budge has worked with a stellar cast of diverse artists including: playwright Tomson Highway, Vancouver Symphony and Bach Choir (John Adams' "El Nino”), 

Tango Paradiso (Victoria/Windsor/Vancouver Island Symphonies), 

Chor Leoni Mens Choir, Ache Brazil, Coco Trevisano (Forever Tango), Jesse Zubot, Judi Singh (Tommy Banks, Lenny Breau), Tom Arntzen,

Blackstick with Lloyd & Evan Arntzen, Sarah Marshall & All The Dreamers,

Lache Cercel, Ned Gould (Harry Connick),

Sal Ferreras, Brad Turner, Saul Berson, John Korsrud, Olam, Leora Cashe, Buff Allen, Karen Plato, Laura Crema, Miles Black, John Reischman, Rene Worst, Elektra Choir, Universal Gospel Choir, Bill Sample, Tom Keenlyside, Bruno Hubert, Itamar Erez, Karen Graves, Leon Bibb, Dal Richards, Denis Chang,

Jennifer Scott, Keith Bennet, Melody Diachun...

Budge has twice been interviewed as a special guest on the CBC Radio's "Hot Air" with host Margaret Gallagher.

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FILM SCORES

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Budge is featured on several film soundtracks: "Head In The Clouds" starring; Penelope Cruz, Charlise Therone and Stuart Townsend, "Eulogy" starring; Debra Winger, Ray Romano, Hank Azaria, Zooey Deschanal and Rip Torn.

 He composed, played and recorded his first feature film soundtrack for the film, Love And Other Dilemmas. He can be heard on numerous documentaries, television and video productions.
 

VAN DJANGO

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Budge co-leads the Gypsy Jazz group "Van Django" an acoustic string ensemble . They have recorded two live CBC radio shows for "Hot Air" and "Westcoast Performance" as well as 4 CD’s with tours in Canada the US, Europe and China. 

 

 

STUDIES

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Budge attended the Capilano College Music Program, as well as studies in Shenkarian Analysis with Dr. Harold Krebbs at UBC. Throughout his career he has studied privately with many world-class guitarists including: Mike Stern, Ted Quinlan, John Stowell, Don Mock, Peter Bernstein, Andreas Oberg as well as Master Classes with Adrien Moignard, Stochelo Rosenberg, Gozalo Bergara and privately with Tango greats, Nestor Marconi and Daniel Binelli.  

Most importantly, Budge has had the joy and privilege of learning and mentoring from all the wonderful and unique musicians he has played with over the years.

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PRESS

 

"player... deserving of wider recognition"

DOWNBEAT

 

"fine original compositions"

DOWNBEAT

 

With Van Django:

"In an increasingly crowded niche, Van Django is a standout act. With a clever mix of contemporary standards, classical ditties, rock homages and solid originals they effortlessly whip the audience into a joyful frenzy. Attending a Van Django concert is the most fun you can have sitting down with your clothes on."

NICK LEHR - DJANGOFEST DIRECTOR - USA

 

“Van Django tosses off jaw-dropping technical licks with effortless ease, but above all, they entertain hugely, with every bar of every tune — tried and true or keenly original.”

JURGEN GOETHE, HOST, CBC DISC DRIVE - CANADA

 

"Van Django can deliver acoustic power chords with the lustrous tone of a classical string ensemble while staying fully stoked on the spirit of the Quintette of the Hot Club of France."

MICHAEL JUK, HOST, CBC WESTCOAST MUSIC - CANADA

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

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• Performances with the Budge Schachte Quintet/Quartet numerous concert performance in and around BC including the Vancouver Jazz Festival as well as old favourites the Classical Joint and Glass Slipper

• Performances with Tango Paradiso and the Victoria Symphony Orchestra and Vancouver Island Symphony.

• Sound Design for "Ernestine Shuswap Gets Her Trout" by well known Canadian Play-write and Novelist Tomson Highway. 

• Performances in the Montreal Jazz Festival with the Sara Zacharias Quartet. 

• Repeat performances in the US with Van Django at Djangofest Northwest.

• Performances with "Olam" in the Ashkenaz Festival, Harbour Front, Toronto

• Performances in The Vancouver Jazz Festival at "The Centre" with Tango Paradiso plus an Eastern Canada tour with Van Django. 

• Producing Sarah Marshall's first CD "All The Dreamers".

• A tour of Eastern Canada with Tango Paradiso performing with the Windsor Symphony as well as multiple quartet concerts in Montreal.

• Guitarist for the Show "Green Eggs and Cam" featuring Cam Wilson's original music and arrangements with Chamber Orchestra, at the VECC. 

• Performances in Toronto and New York City with jazz trio "Indigo" accompanying Poet Leanne Averbach.

• The pit orchestra for the "Chor Leoni Mens Choir" at Bard On The Beach, Diane Loomer Conductor.

• Coastal Sound International Choral Festival Gala with Sal Ferreris & Friends.

• Sold-out performances with Van Django and Special Guests at the Norman Rothstein Theatre for Music Fest Vancouver. 

• Performance at the Chan Centre with Van Django as special guests for the show, "The Glory of the Violin".

• Van Django Canadian Tour (Toronto, Ottawa, Yukon, Alberta, Saskatchewan, BC) 

• Two tours to Europe and a trip to China playing 5 concerts in Nanjing, all with Van Django.

• Performance with the Vancouver Symphony of John Adam's "El Nino" at the Orpheum Theatre.

• Playing twice at the Commodore in Vancouver with Amanda Hughes and special guest Long John Baldry.

• Symphony show featuring Van Django and the Delta Youth Orchestra, including performances of arrangements of original compositions.

• Ontario Tour with Van Django.

• Concerts with the Wilson/Schachte Duo 2014 as well as showcases in Sasketchewan, Ontario and Minneapolis Minnesota.

• Performances with Van Django in Toronto at Harbour Front Theatre as guests of the Art of Time Ensemble in the production "Tzigane".

• Duo performances with Karen Graves in the Gibsons Jazz Festival.

• Van Django "Cool Yule" Christmas show series, including a performance with the Lions Gate Symphonia, performing original arrangements.