FRIDAY 2 APRIL @ 8PM

Guitars and Horns
composed notes and new encounters


Tom Duprey trumpet
David Hawthorn guitar
...and others

Garrison Fewell guitar
Esther Viola oboe
Todd Brunel clarinet

successful fundraiser

Thanks to all who made it out on such a blistery, rainy night to support our series. I want to thank in particular Rob Bethel for making the beautiful cafe space at the Armory happen, Susan for being the behind the scenes producer and all of those who participated in the performances that night. Noel Dorcy, Matt Samolis, Peter Blum, Esther Viola, Rob Bethel, Sara Bielanski, all combined talents and efforts to create another great Vortex night! Thank you Heather Townsend for the great pics and hopefully we'll have some audio clips available soon, so stay tuned!

Vortex fundraiser

Vortex Series for New and Improvised Music Fundraiser

Saturday, March 13 at 8:00
At the Armory Café, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA
Featuring:

Sara Bielanski, vocals
Todd Brunel, clarinets
Esther Viola, oboe
Rob Bethel, cello
Yael Bat- Shimon, violin
John McClellan, drumset
and
Peter Bloom, Bass flute
Matt Samolis, flute
Noell Dorsey, voice
performing Tips by Steve Lacey

The Vortex concert series is looking for sponsors and subscribers to help
support great new and improvised music. Listeners appreciate
music on the fringes of improvised or notated modern music,
with shows that span diverse musical styles and artistic disciplines.

So come join us for an exciting fund raising
event with refreshments and live
performances by some of the most adventurous musicians
in the Boston area and get a preview of shows to come!

$10 admission

FRIDAY 5 MARCH 8.30 PM ***NEW TIME***

Beat & Brazuka Breakdown


Esther Viola  oboe

Silvana Costa  poet

Adam Bahrami guitars/cavaquinho
...and others!

EV is trying out some ideas: putting music to words and bringing oboe to Brazilian beats and melodies.


PART 1 poetry and sound improv

PART 2 solo surprise
 

PART 3 non-traditional takes on Brazilian beats and sambas

A Labor of Love

After talking with some friends on Friday night, I started to understand that this series could branch in ways that I hadn't considered. The Vortex is a labor of love where some of the most profound new music happens, usually improvised. This latest incarnation is 2 years old, but in the past I had a vortex in 2004-05 that was really great as well and involved a whole cast of characters and the Old Green Street Grill. Fights and nastiness ensued around the time of the Red Sox play offs...well of course in a town that loves its sports, we eventually moved to what is now the Lilli Pad...back then it was the Zeitgeist space.
Its been 10 years now of exploring new and creative music making in association with Rob Chalfen and others who have really dedicated their lives to creating new music adventures similar to what used to happen in the 60's and 70's and yes I suppose the 80's. I have also seen other incredible musicians at other concerts at the venue which we are currently in, the Outpost 186, the home of our series. They are there to promote their music to an appreciative audience of fellow journeypersons, creating the music they really love and I am certain that none of the artists performing at this space are really there for the money. Truly this space is home to many labors of love and we think this kind of music is that important to make an adjustment in perspective. How do we go about changing a perspective that is so wrapped in mystique or petty misconceptions? To champion improvised music as a real art, a listening art, an art of chance, reaction, innovation and true artistic integrity..
Thanks to Yael Bat Shimon violin, Geni Skendo flute, shakuhatchi and of course Rob Bethel and our great recording engineer that night, David Lee...hope your feeling better John..catch you on the next one bro!

New recording available a Jamendo

This recording from our January 8 show features three separate tracks with Matt Samolis on flute, Rob Bethel cello and Todd Brunel on clarinet...its a free download so enjoy!

http://www.jamendo.com/en/album/59027

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY 8PM

The Vortex Ensemble takes on yet another new dimension in February!

featuring:
Yael Bat-Shimon  violin
Rob Bethel  cello
Todd Brunel  clarinets
Geni Skendo  flute, shakuhatchi
John Mcclellan  drums

 listen to Yael Bat-Shimon