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.
Nov 13, 2009to Nov 15, 2009 | Atlanta Dance Weekend |
Dec 3, 2009at 7:30 pm | Conference callAgenda: x- NM concert before Folk MADness x- DC tour possibilities x- lights for Feb x- trademark x- next december weekend x- concert repertoire x- album x- LEAF x- Colorado x- Ashokan |
Jan 14, 2010at 7:30 pm | Mountain View Dance |
Jan 15, 2010to Jan 17, 2010 | Contra Carnivale |
Jan 22, 2010to Jan 24, 2010 | Florida Snow Ball |
Feb 12, 2010to Feb 14, 2010 | The Dance Flurry |
Feb 15, 2010to Feb 18, 2010 | Elixir Rehearsals |
Feb 18, 2010at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra Dance |
Feb 19, 2010at 8:00 pm | Brown Contra Dance |
Feb 20, 2010at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra Dance |
Feb 21, 2010at 7:30 pm | Brattleboro Contra Dance |
Feb 23, 2010at 9:00 pm | conference call |
Mar 10, 2010at 1:00 pm | Conference CallAgenda: -album prep -gigs to solicit -photo shoot |
Mar 17, 2010 | arranging deadline |
Mar 26, 2010to Mar 27, 2010 | rehearse |
Mar 27, 2010at 8:00 pm | concert at the ChurchThe Church $150 rent |
Mar 28, 2010to Apr 2, 2010 | elixir recording11-5 6:30-10:30 Sun noon-6 8-midnight Mon 11-5 6:30-10:30 Tue noon-6 8-midnight Wed 11-5 6:30-10:30 Thur 10-3 Fri |
Apr 9, 2010to Apr 11, 2010 | Chicago Dance Weekend |
Apr 15, 2010at 10:00 am | bass tracking |
Apr 19, 2010at 1:00 pm | editing |
Apr 26, 2010to Apr 29, 2010 | Elixir recording |
May 11, 2010at 3:00 pm | Conference call |
May 27, 2010at 8:00 pm | concert |
May 28, 2010to May 31, 2010 | FolkMADness |
Jun 1, 2010at 12:00 pm | mixing |
Jun 4, 2010at 12:00 pm | mixing |
Jun 7, 2010at 12:00 pm | mixing |
Jun 27, 2010at 10:00 am | Ralph Sweet Book Release Party401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirElixir will be joined by callers Ralph Sweet and Tony Parkes, and guest musicians Ann Percival, Corey DiMario, and Lee Blackwell. |
Jul 25, 2010to Jul 31, 2010 | Ashokan Northern WeekOlivebridge, NYwith Elixir |
Aug 8, 2010to Aug 15, 2010 | Augusta Dance WeekElkins, WVwith Elixir |
Sep 17, 2010to Sep 19, 2010 | Echo Summit Dance WeekendTwin Bridges, CAwith Elixir |
Sep 30, 2010at 3:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord, MAwith Elixir |
Oct 1, 2010at 4:00 pm | Belfast Flying Shoes Contra DanceBelfast, MEwith Elixir |
Oct 2, 2010at 4:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceMontpelier, VTwith Elixir |
Oct 3, 2010at 10:30 am | Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir |
Oct 29, 2010to Oct 31, 2010 | Fire Ant FrolicAustin, TXwith Elixir |
Nov 5, 2010at 8:00 pm | Sacramento Contra DanceSacramento CAwith Elixir |
Nov 6, 2010 | Fall Has SprungGrass Valley Veterans Memorial Building, 255 S. Auburn St, Grass Valley, CAwith Elixir |
Nov 10, 2010at 7:30 pm | Swarthmore Contra DanceSwarthmore Collegewith Elixir |
Nov 11, 2010at 7:30 pm | Glenside Contra DanceGlenside, PAwith Elixir |
Nov 12, 2010at 7:00 pm | NY Gender Free Contra DanceNew York, NYwith Elixir |
Nov 13, 2010 | CDNY Fall FlingNew York, NYwith Elixir |
Nov 19, 2010at 8:00 pm | Brown Contra DanceBrown University, Providence, RIwith ElixirThe Figments and Rebecca Lay (calling) |
Nov 26, 2010to Nov 27, 2010 | Rochester Thanksgiving Dance WeekendRochester, NYwith ElixirThe Figments |
Dec 3, 2010at 8:00 pm | Concord Experienced DanceConcord, MAwith ElixirOwen Morrison (guitar/mandolin/feet) and Jeremiah McLane (accordion/piano) |
Dec 4, 2010at 10:00 am | BIDA Contra DanceCambridge, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet/mandolin) |
Dec 5, 2010at 4:00 pm | Hartford Mostly WaltzHartford, MAwith Elixir |
Dec 6, 2010at 7:00 pm | Amherst ECDMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith Elixirlydia ievins (fiddle) and Joyce Crouch (piano) |
Dec 9, 2010at 12:00 pm | Mostly Waltz401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) and Karen Axelrod (piano) |
Dec 18, 2010at 8:00 pm | 3rd Saturday Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirLisa Greenleaf (calling), Owen Marshall (guitar), and Jeremiah McLane (accordion/piano) |
Dec 20, 2010at 7:00 pm | Amherst ECDMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirPeter Barnes (winds/guitar) and Karen Axelrod (piano) |
Dec 26, 2010at 7:30 pm | CANCELED: Brattleboro contra danceDance canceled due to the weather |
Dec 30, 2010at 1:00 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord, MAwith ElixirEmily Troll (fiddle/accordion) and Josh Van Vliet (guitar) |
Dec 31, 2010at 7:00 pm | Greenfield New Years Eve Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirVan Kaynor (fiddle), Owen Marshall (guitar), Corey DiMario (bass, tenor guitar), Peter Barnes (piano/guitar), Daniel Plane (cello), David Kaynor (calling, fiddle, guitar), Rebecca Lay (calling), George Marshall (calling, concertina, bodhran) and more! |
Jan 1, 2011at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) and Julie Vallimont (piano) |
Jan 7, 2011at 8:00 pm | Concord Experienced DanceConcord, MAwith ElixirThe Figments |
Jan 8, 2011at 11:00 am | Brattleboro Farmers MarketMain Street, Brattleboro, VTwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) |
Jan 14, 2011to Jan 16, 2011 | Ralph Page Legacy Dance WeekendFiretruck: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar) |
Jan 16, 2011at 7:00 pm | BIDA DanceCambridge, MAwith ElixirFiretruck: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar) |
Jan 20, 2011at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord, MAwith Elixir |
Jan 21, 2011at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir |
Jan 22, 2011 | Peterborough Snow BallPeterborough NHwith Elixir |
Jan 23, 2011at 7:30 pm | Brattleboro DanceBrattleboro, VTwith Elixir |
Jan 28, 2011at 8:00 pm | House concertAnnapolis, MDwith ElixirCheck back for more details. |
Jan 29, 2011 | Baltimore Midwinter BallBaltimore MDwith Elixir |
Feb 3, 2011at 7:30 pm | Lake City contra dance12531 28th Ave NE, Seattle, WAwith Elixir |
Feb 4, 2011to Feb 6, 2011 | Dancing FoolSeattle WAwith Elixir |
Feb 11, 2011at 8:00 pm | Rehoboth Contra DanceRehoboth, MAwith ElixirThe Figments |
Feb 14, 2011at 7:00 pm | Amherst ECDMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) and Joyce Crouch (piano) |
Feb 19, 2011at 8:00 pm | 3rd Saturday Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirSue Rosen (calling), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar) |
Feb 25, 2011to Feb 27, 2011 | Fiddling FrogPasadena, CAwith ElixirThe Figments with Will Patton (bass/mandolin) |
Mar 14, 2011at 7:00 pm | Amherst ECDMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirJoanna Morse (violin) and Joyce Crouch (piano) |
Mar 18, 2011at 8:00 pm | Glen Echo ContraGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixir |
Mar 20, 2011at 3:30 pm | Waltz Time DancesGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixirwaltz lesson 2:45-3:30 |
Mar 20, 2011at 7:30 pm | Glen Echo ContraGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixir |
Mar 25, 2011to Mar 27, 2011 | Down East Country Dance FestivalTopsham MEwith Elixir |
Apr 8, 2011to Apr 10, 2011 | Chesapeake Dance WeekendCamp Letts, Edgewater, MDwith Elixir |
Apr 10, 2011at 7:30 pm | Glen Echo ContraGlen Echo Park, MDwith Elixir |
Apr 16, 2011 | Fiddlehead FrolicIthaca, NYwith Elixir |
Apr 17, 2011at 8:00 pm | Bound for GloryAnabel Taylor Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NYwith Elixir |
Apr 22, 2011to Apr 24, 2011 | Spring Dance RomanceNorth Carolinawith ElixirThe Figments |
Apr 29, 2011at 8:00 pm | Minstrel Concert SeriesMorristown, NJwith Elixir |
Apr 30, 2011at 8:00 pm | Swingin Tern Contra DanceEast Hanover, NJwith Elixir |
May 20, 2011at 8:00 pm | Brown Contra DanceBrown University, Providence, RIwith ElixirThe Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
May 21, 2011at 8:00 pm | 3rd Saturday Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirMary Wesley (calling) and the Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
May 22, 2011at 7:30 pm | Brattleboro Contra DanceMain and Grove Streets, Brattleboro, VT 05301with ElixirThe Figments: Anna Patton, clarinet, Owen Morrison, guitar/feet, and Rachel Nevitt, calling |
May 26, 2011at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
May 27, 2011at 10:00 pm | Burlington Contra DanceThe Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
May 28, 2011at 8:00 pm | Rokeby Museum House ConcertFerrisburgh, VTwith ElixirThe Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet). Space is limited and reservations are required. For info or reservations contact: or 802.999.9357 |
May 29, 2011at 2:30 pm | Brattleboro Dawn DanceBrattleboro, VTwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) and Karen Axelrod (piano), playing for the English dancing segment |
May 30, 2011at 7:00 pm | Amherst ECDMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) and Karen Axelrod (piano) |
Jun 18, 2011at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St., Greenfield, MAwith ElixirSusan Kevra (calling), Emily Troll (fiddle, accordion) and Josh Van Vliet (guitar) |
Jun 20, 2011at 7:00 pm | Amherst ECDMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirAnna Patton (clarinet) and Ken Allen (piano) |
Jun 24, 2011at 8:00 pmto Jun 26, 2011 | June Moon Dance WeekendMorgantown, WVwith Elixir |
Jul 16, 2011at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir |
Jul 18, 2011at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir |
Jul 20, 2011at 7:30 pm | Amherst Contra DanceMasonic Lodge, 99 Main St, Amherst, MAwith Elixir |
Jul 24, 2011to Jul 29, 2011 | Ashokan Northern Week |
Aug 1, 2011at 7:00 pm | Whately ECDWhately, MAwith ElixirSusan Conger (violin) and Joyce Crouch (piano) |
Aug 7, 2011to Aug 12, 2011 | Augusta Heritage Center Dance WeekElkins, WVwith ElixirThe Figments and lots of other great folks! |
To order Elixir CDs please visit the Elixir store.
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.
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).
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.