15 January 2011

February 4, 8:00 Steven Jobe, Yael Bat Shimon

Steven Jobe

"Composer, instrument builder, avant-garde cabaret master and all-purpose madman..."

—Rick Massimo, The Providence Journal, June 8th, 2006

Steven Jobe began composing in 1987 when he was commissioned by the Community College of Rhode Island to compose the lyrics and music for an original musical, Walking on Air. A few years later he wrote the lyrics and music to an opera, Joan of Arc (then called Jeanne d’Arc), which premiered in Providence, Rhode Island in 1993. With the help of his friends and colleagues, a concert version of the work was performed at Bell St. Chapel with a twenty piece cha mber ensemble – including glass bells, hurdy gurdy, accordion and harmonic instruments in support of a cast of a dozen or more...
find out more about Steven Jobe at: http://www.stevenjobe.com/
Yael Bat-shimon
Yael Bat-Shimon, described by T he Boston Globe as an "adventurous contemporary violinist" whose improvisational work draws on her classical training as well as non-western musical traditions", has performed for audie nces from Paris, France to Cambridge, MA. Her music was featured in the fall 2008 edition of the arts and culture e-zine "Zingology", which called her improvisations, "Fiery interpretations of European and American folk traditions squarely anchored on her classical training. A Harvard graduate, she has also studied violin performance at the Peabody Institute in Baltimore and the New England Conservatory.
Find out more about Yael at:
http:// www.yaelbat-shimon.com/index.html



Cellist Rob Bethel
has been working with Steve Jobe and Yael Bat-Shim
on for years and enjoys a busy a career as a freelance cellis t. A regular feature at the Vortex series, Rob will be interacting with both artists and bringing his "listening as a creative act" approach to Friday nights intimate show. For more about Rob and his company, Yesterday Service, click:
http: //www.yesterdayservice.com/





10 January 2011

Thank you Somerville Arts Council

The Vortex Series for New and Improvised Music has been awarded a 2011 grant from the Somerville Arts council and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.


The first Vortex Show of the new year at the Democracy Center went very well and we had a great turn out. Much thanks to all the artist involved, especially our features, Rob Manthy, Ashley Addington, Rachel Arnold and Gary Fieldman.