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Ethan Hazzard-Watkins fiddler

Fiddler Ethan Hazzard-Watkins performs traditional and original music with infectious energy, passion, and grace.

Ethan's fiddling combines expressive subtlety, playfulness, and compelling rhythmic power born out of more than two decades of experience as a dance musician. A versatile and inspiring performer, Ethan is equally at home digging into an Irish, Quebecois, or New England fiddle tune, improvising on a classic blues, swing, or honky-tonk song, or interpreting a lyrical waltz or English Country Dance melody.

Based in Brattleboro, Vermont, Ethan tours extensively throughout the U.S. and abroad, playing for dances, festivals, camps, concerts, weddings, and other events with his bands Elixir and The Figments. He performs closer to home with honky-tonk band The Rear Defrosters. Ethan is also an avid composer of tunes in traditional styles, and his compositions and arrangements have been played and recorded widely.

gig calendar

Jan 3, 2014at 8:00 pmSan Diego Contra Dance3030 Thorn Street, San Diego, CAwith Elixirwith Lisa Greenleaf (calling) and The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Jan 5, 2014at 6:30 pmSanta Barbara Contra Dance100 E Carrillo St
Santa Barbara CA 93101with Elixirwith Lisa Greenleaf (calling) and The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Jan 10, 2014to Jan 11, 2014Phoenix Winter FrolicKenilworth School, 1210 N 5th St, Phoenix, AZwith Elixir
Jan 24, 2014to Jan 26, 2014Florida Snow Ball5500 Shore Blvd. South, Gulfport, FLwith Elixirw/ Great Bear Trio and caller George Marshall
Jan 30, 2014at 7:00 pmConcord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirLinda Leslie (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Jeremiah McLane (accordion/piano), and Owen Marshall (guitar/banjo)
Feb 1, 2014at 11:00 amBrattleboro Winter Farmer's MarketRiver Garden, Main St, Brattleboro, VT 05301with ElixirEthan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle) and Roger Kahle (guitar)
Feb 7, 2014at 8:00 pmMostly Waltz Greenfieldwith Karen Axelrod (piano) and Anna Patton (clarinet)
Feb 8, 2014at 7:30 pmPutney VaudevillePutney, VTwith ElixirThis show features lots of great local talent, including circus acts, comedy, dance, a flea circus, and more. I'll be joining the Gaslight Tinkers as a guest musician.
Feb 17, 2014at 7:00 pmAmherst English DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirGraham Christian (calling), Karen Axelrod (piano), and Susan Conger (violin), and Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin)
Mar 6, 2014at 7:30 pmConcord Contra Dance74 Walden Rd, Concord, MAwith Elixir
Mar 7, 2014at 7:30 pmNext Stage Arts Project and Twilight Music Concert SeriesNext Stage, 15 Kimball Hill, Putney, VTwith Elixirw/ The Sweetback Sisters!

Tickets $16 in advance, $18 at the door. Information available by calling (802) 387-0102.
Mar 8, 2014at 7:30 pmJamaica Plain Gender-free Contra DanceFirst Church, 6 Eliot St, Jamaica Plain, MAwith Elixir
Mar 9, 2014at 4:30 pmClub Passim47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MAwith ElixirTickets $12
We'll be celebrating the release of Anybody's Guess with a show at Club Passim in Cambridge.
Mar 28, 2014at 8:30 pmGlen Echo Contra DanceSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith ElixirNils Fredland (calling), with The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar).
Mar 30, 2014at 3:30 pmGlen Echo Waltz TimeSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir
Mar 30, 2014at 7:30 pmGlen Echo Contra DanceSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith ElixirNils Fredland (calling), with The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar).
Apr 11, 2014to Apr 13, 2014Toronto Spring ThawSt. Barnabas Church, 175 Hampton Ave, Toronto, ONwith Elixir
Apr 21, 2014at 7:00 pmAmherst English DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirGraham Christian (calling), Karen Axelrod (piano), Mary Lea (violin), and Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin)
Apr 25, 2014to Apr 27, 2014Portland RaindanceNorse Hall, 111 NE 11th Ave, Portland, ORwith Elixirw/ Perpetual e-Motion and Maggie Jo Saylor
May 9, 2014to May 11, 2014Cape Cod Dance WeekendCamp Farley, Mashpee, MAwith Elixirw/ Nor'easter, and callers Sue Rosen (ECD, contras, and squares) and Mary Wesley (contras and squares)!
May 23, 2014to May 26, 2014FolkMADnessNew Mexico Tech, Socorro, NMwith Elixirw/ The Privy Tippers and Will Mentor
May 31, 2014at 8:00 pmMontpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith ElixirNils Fredland (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Eric McDonald (guitar/mandolin), and Corey DiMario (bass/tenor guitar)
Jun 7, 2014at 4:00 pmPrivate EventAnnapolis, MDwith Elixir
Jun 8, 2014at 7:30 pmGlen Echo Contra DanceSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir
Jun 21, 2014at 7:00 pmSpokane Folklore Society Contra DanceSt. John Orthodox Church, 4718 E. Horsehaven Ave, Post Falls, IDwith Elixir
Jun 22, 2014to Jun 28, 2014Lady of the LakeCoeur D'Alene, IDwith Elixirw/ Lots of great folks. This is fantastic camp in a beautiful setting. Make the trip to join us for the week!
Aug 15, 2014to Aug 16, 2014peacham acoustic music festivalPeacham, VTwith ElixirEthan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano), and Owen Marshall (guitar, banjo, bouzouki)
Sep 11, 2014at 7:30 pmConcord Contra Dance74 Walden Rd, Concord, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Sep 12, 2014to Sep 14, 2014Swallowtail Dance WeekendCamp Becket, Becket, MAwith Elixirw/ well…Swallowtail!
Sep 19, 2014to Sep 21, 2014Michigan Heritage FestivalLexington MIwith ElixirLisa Greenleaf(calling and The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Oct 3, 2014at 8:00 pmBoulder Contra DanceAvalon Ballroom, 6185 Arapahoe Rd, Boulder, COwith Elixir
Oct 4, 2014at 8:00 pmFort Collins Contra DanceCity Park Center (Club Tico), Fort Collins, COwith Elixir
Oct 5, 2014at 1:00 pmDenver Contra DanceHighlands Masonic Center, 3550 Federal Blvd., Denver, COwith ElixirWaltzes and couples dancing at 1 PM, contras from 2 to 5 PM!
Oct 17, 2014to Oct 18, 2014Contra ShockNew York Citywith Elixirw/ Maivish and Will Mentor

Schedule (subject to change):
10/17 - Brooklyn Contra Dance, 7:30 pm beginner’s lesson, 8 to 11 pm contra dance for all
10/18 - CDNY contra for experienced dancers, 4 to 6 pm; 7:30 pm beginner’s lesson, 8 to 11 pm contra dance for all
Oct 19, 2014at 1:00 pmContrastock IVSpanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixirw/ Perpetual e-Motion, The Coffee Zombies, and callers Will Mentor and Bev Bernbaum.

Don't miss this...it's gonna be another great Contrastock party.
Nov 3, 2014at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceWhately Dance Barn, Whately, MAwith ElixirRobin Hayden (calling), Karen Axelrod (piano), lydia ievins (violin), and Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin)
Nov 7, 2014to Nov 9, 2014Atlanta Dance WeekendAtlanta, GAwith Elixirw/ Maivish and caller Luke Donforth
Nov 22, 2014at 7:00 pmBrattleboro Playford BallBrattleboro, VTwith Elixir
Dec 26, 2014to Jan 1, 2015Winter Dance Week at John C. Campbell Folk School1 Folk School Rd
Brasstown NC 28902with ElixirSue Rosen (calling) and Firetruck: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar) plus many other talented callers, musicians, and instructors.
Jan 16, 2015to Jan 18, 2015Contra CarnivaleSan Luis Obispo, CAwith Elixirw/ Wild Asparagus, Crowfoot, and caller Lisa Greenleaf
Jan 19, 2015at 7:00 pmHouse ConcertSanta Clara, CAwith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)

The Figments present a concert of traditional and original tunes and songs in an intimate space with great acoustics.

For details and reservations, e-mail your name, phone number, and number of seats requested to:

SantaClaraHouseConcerts AT yahoo DOT com
Jan 31, 2015Northern Roots Music FestivalBrattleboro
VTwith Elixir
Feb 7, 2015at 11:00 amBrattleboro Winter Farmers MarketThe River Garden, Brattleboro. VTwith ElixirEthan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle) and Roger Kahle (guitar)
Feb 13, 2015to Feb 15, 2015Dance FlurrySaratoga Springs Hilton, Saratoga Springs, NYwith Elixir
Mar 4, 2015at 7:30 pmAmherst Contra Dance99 Main St, Amherst, MAwith Elixir
Mar 6, 2015at 8:00 pmConcord Challenging Contra DanceScout House, 74 Walden Rd, Concord, MAwith Elixir
Mar 7, 2015at 8:00 pmMontpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir
Mar 27, 2015at 8:00 pmGreenfield Experienced Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with ElixirSteve Zakon-Anderson (calling) with The Clayfoot Strutters: Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano), Lee Blackwell (percussion), Mark Roberts (flute, banjo), Peter Davis (winds), Harry Aceto (bass) plus guest fiddler Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle).
Apr 6, 2015at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirRobin Hayden and Laura DeCesare (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin), Mary Lea (violin), and Karen Axelrod (piano)
Apr 10, 2015to Apr 12, 2015Bug Stomp Dance WeekendFelix Davis Community Center
4800 Park Circle East
North Charleston, SC 29405
with Elixirw/ Contraforce and caller Maggie Jo Saylor
Apr 20, 2015at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirGraham Christian (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin), Cedar Stanistreet (violin), and Joyce Crouch (piano)
May 7, 2015at 8:00 pmRochester Contra DanceConvenant United Methodist Church, 1124 Culver Rd, Rochester, NYwith Elixir
May 8, 2015at 7:30 pmBuffalo Contra DanceElmwood Ave & W Ferry St
Buffalo NY 14222
United Stateswith Elixir
May 9, 2015Cornell Contra DanceCornell University, Willard Straight Hall, Ithaca, NYwith ElixirSchedule:

12:30pm-2:30pm: Singing Square Caller's Workshop
4pm-6 pm: Contra Dance for Experienced Dancers
8 pm-11 pm: Contra dance for All
May 14, 2015to May 17, 2015Almost HeavenCamp Ramblewood, Darlington, MDwith ElixirWe'll be joined by Mark Hellenberg (aka "Pokey") on percussion all weekend long!

w/ Swallowtail
Jun 3, 2015at 7:30 pmDowntown Amherst Contra DanceSteve Zakon-Anderson (calling) with
The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar)
Jun 4, 2015at 7:30 pmConcord Contra Dance74 Walden St
Concord MA 01742with ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar, feet)
Jun 5, 2015at 8:00 pmMostly WaltzGreenfield, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar)
Jun 6, 2015at 7:00 pmWhately BallWhately, MAwith ElixirBarbara Finney (calling) and The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar)
Jun 12, 2015at 9:00 amGreenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet), Mary Cay Brass (piano), and Steve Zakon-Anderson (calling)
Jun 15, 2015at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirMary Jones (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Pat MacPherson (piano)
Jun 26, 2015to Jun 28, 2015Old Songs FestivalAltamont Fairgrounds, 129 Grand, Altamont, NYwith Elixir
Aug 1, 2015to Aug 8, 2015English WeekPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir
Aug 8, 2015to Aug 15, 2015American Dance and Music WeekPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir
Sep 18, 2015to Sep 20, 2015Echo Summit Dance Weekend18880 US Highway 50
Twin Bridges CA 95721
United Stateswith Elixir
Sep 25, 2015at 8:00 pmGreenfield Challenging Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301
United Stateswith Elixir
Sep 26, 2015at 4:00 pmPrivate EventCraftsbury, VTwith Elixir
Oct 9, 2015to Oct 11, 2015Mountain Madness Dance WeekendJonesborough Visitor's Center, Jonesborough, TNwith Elixir
Oct 16, 2015to Oct 18, 2015LCFD Fall Dance CampCamp Chimney Corners
Becket MAwith Elixirwith The Figments, Will Mentor, and
Robin Hayden
Nov 6, 2015at 8:00 pmConcord Challenging Contra DanceScout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir
Nov 7, 2015at 8:00 pmMontpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir
Nov 8, 2015at 2:00 pmGreenfield Fall Frolic Fundraiser Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with ElixirA fundraiser for the Friends of the Grange. Elixir will kick things off, playing from 2:00 to 4:30 pm.
Dec 10, 2015at 8:00 pmRear Defrosters at Whetstone
Dec 12, 2015at 8:00 pmMontpelier Contra ExchangeMontpelier, VTwith ElixirAdina Gordon (calling), with The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Jan 30, 2016at 8:00 pmGreenfield Contra DanceSteve Zakon-Anderson (calling) with The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Feb 5, 2016to Feb 7, 2016Dancing FoolLeif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WAwith ElixirNils will not be performing with Elixir this weekend. With this appearance at Fool, Elixir is launching it's new touring lineup - Brian Bender will be playing trombone!

w/ Riptide and caller Cis Hinkle
Mar 6, 2016at 7:30 pmBIDA Open Band Dance1950 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MAwith ElixirAnglea DeCarlis (calling) and open band with anchor musicians Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle) and Debby Knight (piano).
Mar 14, 2016at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirMary Jones (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Pat MacPherson (piano)
Apr 1, 2016to Apr 3, 2016Epicenter Dance WeekendStrawberry Recreation Center, Mill Valley, CAwith Elixir
Apr 8, 2016to Apr 10, 2016Springforth BallLewis Ginter Rec Center, Richmond VAwith Elixir
Apr 18, 2016at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirRobin Hayden (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin), lydia ievins (violin), and Karen Axelrod (piano)
May 6, 2016at 8:00 pmConcord Experienced DanceConcord Scout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirWith Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Jeremiah McLane (accordion, piano) and Owen Marshall (guitar)
May 29, 2016at 3:30 amBrattleboro Dawn DanceGibson Aiken Center, Main St, Brattleboro, VTwith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar/foot percussion)
Jun 3, 2016at 8:30 pmGlen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir
Jun 4, 2016at 4:00 pmPrivate eventAnnapolis, MDwith Elixir
Jun 5, 2016at 7:30 pmGlen Echo Contra DanceGlen Echo Park, Glen Echo, MDwith Elixir
Jun 18, 2016at 8:00 pmSpokane Contra DanceSpokane, WAwith Elixirwith The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Jun 19, 2016to Jun 25, 2016Lady of the Lake Dance Weekwith The Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet)
Jun 29, 2016at 7:30 pmAmherst Contra Dance99 Main St
Amherst MA 01002
United Stateswith Elixir
Jun 30, 2016at 7:30 pmConcord Contra Dance74 Walden St
Concord MA 01742
United Stateswith Elixir
Jul 1, 2016at 8:00 pmMostly Waltz Greenfield401 Chapman St
Greenfield, MA, United Stateswith ElixirWaltz workshop at 7:00pm
Jul 2, 2016Private EventMontague MAwith Elixir
Jul 30, 2016to Aug 6, 2016CDSS English WeekPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir
Aug 4, 2016at 7:30 pmConcord Contra Dance74 Walden St
Concord MA 01742
United Stateswith ElixirSue Rosen (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar)
Aug 6, 2016to Aug 13, 2016CDSS American Dance and Music WeekPinewoods Camp, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir
Aug 26, 2016at 8:00 pmGreenfield Experienced Contra Dance401 Chapman St
Greenfield MA 01301with ElixirNils Fredland, calling/trombone
with Brian Bender, sousaphone/melodica/trombone
Aug 27, 2016Private EventBristol, RIwith Elixir
Sep 9, 2016at 8:00 pmConcord Experienced DanceConcord Scout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Owen Morrison (guitar, feet)
Sep 10, 2016Private EventGreensboro Bend, VTwith Elixir
Sep 19, 2016at 7:00 pmAmherst English Country DanceWhately, MAwith ElixirRobin Hayden (calling), Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (violin), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Karen Axelrod (piano)

store

Elixir CDs

To order Elixir CDs please visit the Elixir store.

In the Window

Download on Bandcamp

Selected traditional and original material arranged to highlight the diverse musical ideas that grow out of the New England contra dance tradition. Ethan’s solo CD moves gracefully between high energy jigs and reels, contemplative airs, and lovely waltzes, flirting with musical ideas drawn from a wide range of styles. Recorded and Mixed by Bob Mills in Guilford, VT.

Guest Musicians

Anna Patton (clarinet), Bob Mills (guitar & bouzouki), Chuck Corman (bass), Erica Morse (cello & bass) Elvie Miller (piano & accordion), Jesse Hazzard-Watkins (trumpet), lydia ievins (fiddle), Marko Packard (guitar & sax), Naomi Morse (fiddle & viola), Peter Siegel (guitar, mandolin, banjo, & feet), Roger Kahle (guitar), Seth Houston (piano).

tunes

Tune Book: A is for Avocado

Ethan's collection of original tunes, published in 2007, is no longer available in print. You can download a complete PDF of the book or find some individual highlights and more recent compositions below.

Download A is for Avocado

A few of Ethan's compositions are available for download below.

contact

Get in touch with Ethan: