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 3, 2012at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceOld Labor Hall, Barre, VTwith ElixirMary Wesley (calling), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Julie Vallimont (piano) |
Nov 9, 2012to Nov 11, 2012 | Big DanceDayton, VAwith ElixirThe Figments (Anna Patton, clarinet and Owen Morrison, guitar/feet) |
Nov 11, 2012 | Greenwood Contra DanceShawn Brenniman (calling) and The Figments (Anna Patton, clarinet and Owen Morrison, guitar/feet) |
Nov 16, 2012to Nov 18, 2012 | Fleur de Lis Fling Dance WeekendLouisville, KYwith Elixir |
Nov 23, 2012to Nov 24, 2012 | Rochester Thanksgiving Dance WeekendSalem United Church of Christ, 60 Bittner Street, Rochester, NYwith Elixir |
Dec 8, 2012at 11:00 am | Brattleboro Winter Farmers' MarketRiver Garden, Main St., Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir |
Dec 9, 2012at 7:30 pm | Brattleboro Contra Dance - Rural Vermont Benefit DanceMain and Grove Streets, Brattleboro, VT 05301with ElixirRebecca Lay (calling), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Andy Davis (piano) |
Dec 15, 2012at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield MAwith ElixirMarguerite Durant (calling) and The Figments (Anna Patton, clarinet and Owen Morrison, guitar/feet) |
Dec 20, 2012at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirLisa Greenleaf (calling), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Peter Barnes (piano/guitar) |
Jan 4, 2013at 8:00 pm | Concord Challenging Contra DanceScout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith Elixir |
Jan 5, 2013at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir |
Jan 11, 2013to Jan 12, 2013 | Phoenix Friends of Traditional Music Mini-Dance WeekendKenilworth School, Phoenix, AZwith Elixir |
Jan 25, 2013at 8:00 pm | Club Passim Concert (opening for Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem)47 Palmer St, Cambridge, MAwith ElixirWe LOVE Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, and are honored to be opening for them at Club Passim. This show is sure to sell out, so purchase your tickets in advance. Help us celebrate our Passim debut! If you can't be there in person you can still watch online via Concert Window! |
Jan 26, 2013at 12:00 pm | Peterborough Snow BallTown Hall, Peterborough, NHwith ElixirWe play from 3 to 6 PM. Full schedule as follows: 12 PM - Moving Violations w/ Rebecca Lay 3 PM - Elixir 6 PM - Crowfoot w/ Steve Zakon-Anderson 9 PM - Latter Day Lizards w/ Lisa Greenleaf WHAT A DAY!! |
Jan 27, 2013at 7:30 pm | Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Church, corner of Grove and Eliot St, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir |
Jan 31, 2013at 8:00 pm | Seattle Contra DanceLake City Community Center, Seattle, WAwith Elixir |
Feb 1, 2013to Feb 3, 2013 | Dancing FoolLeif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th St, Seattle, WAwith Elixirw/ The Sevens and caller Cis Hinkle |
Feb 6, 2013at 7:30 pm | Amherst contra danceAmherst, MAwith ElixirPeter Siegel (guitar), Garrett Sawyer (bass) |
Feb 10, 2013at 7:00 pm | Brattleboro Contra DanceMain and Grove Streets, Brattleboro, VTwith ElixirThe Gaslight Tinkers |
Feb 15, 2013to Feb 17, 2013 | Corvallis Contra Dance WeekendCorvallis, ORwith Elixirw/ The Retrospectacles |
Feb 21, 2013at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceScout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirThe Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet), Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) |
Mar 4, 2013at 7:00 pm | Amherst English DanceMunson Library, Amherst, MAwith ElixirGraham Christian (calling), Pat MacPherson (piano), and Susan Conger (fiddle) |
Mar 10, 2013at 3:00 pm | Mostly Waltz for BostonConcord Scout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirThe Figments (Anna Patton, clarinet and Owen Morrison, guitar) |
Mar 15, 2013to Mar 17, 2013 | Memfest Contra Dance WeekendIdlewild Church, 1750 Union Ave, Memphis, TNwith Elixir |
Apr 6, 2013at 6:00 pm | Play BallPeterborough, NHwith ElixirSteve Zakon-Anderson and Will Mentor calling, with music by Nor'easter and The Figments (Anna Patton, clarinet and Owen Morrison, guitar/feet) |
Apr 12, 2013to Apr 14, 2013 | Dandelion RompOberlin College - Hales Hall, Oberlin, OHwith Elixirw/ Ari and Mia Friedman, Jordon Tice, Gallimaufry, and caller Chrissy Fowler |
Apr 18, 2013at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, Concord, MAwith ElixirNEFFA Callers' Showcase and The Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/feet) with guest Stefan Amidon (percussion) |
Apr 20, 2013at 8:00 pm | Greenfield 3rd Saturday Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirRebecca Lay (calling) and The Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar, feet) |
Apr 28, 2013at 1:00 pm | Roger Katz Memorial Extravaganza & Blood DriveGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St., Greenfield, MAwith ElixirPhoto exhibit of Roger's wonderful photos Live Music with Anna Patton and friends Blood Drive: Walk-ins are welcome, but people with appointments will be seen first. To make an appointment call Baystate Health at 877-612-5663 or email . |
Apr 29, 2013at 7:00 pm | Amherst English DanceWhately Dance Barn, Whately, MAwith ElixirRobin Hayden (calling), Karen Axelrod (piano), and Susan Conger (violin) |
May 9, 2013at 8:00 pm | Asheville Contra DanceBryson Gymnasium, Warren Wilson College, Black Mountain, NCwith Elixir |
May 10, 2013to May 12, 2013 | Lake Eden Arts Festival377 Lake Eden Rd, Black Mountain, NCwith Elixir |
May 15, 2013at 7:30 pm | Amherst Contra DanceMasonic Lodge, 99 Main St, Amherst, MAwith Elixir |
May 16, 2013at 7:30 pm | Concord Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St., Concord, MAwith Elixir |
May 17, 2013at 8:00 pm | Providence Contra DanceCommunity Church of Providence, corner of Wayland and Lloyd Ave, Providence, RIwith Elixir |
May 18, 2013at 8:00 pm | Greenfield Contra Dance401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith Elixir |
May 24, 2013to May 27, 2013 | Almost HeavenTimber Ridge Camp, High View, WVwith Elixirw/ Swallowtail, and caller Gaye Fifer |
Jun 4, 2013at 7:00 pm | Annual Summer Concert Serieson the lawn of the Old Medical Chapel, Castleton, VTwith Elixirw/ special guest Will Patton on mandolin and bass |
Jun 7, 2013at 8:00 pm | Belfast Contra DanceAmerican Legion Hall, 143 Church St, Belfast, MEwith Elixir |
Jun 8, 2013at 8:00 pm | N. Yarmouth Contra DanceWescustogo Grange, Walnut Hill Rd, N. Yarmouth, MEwith Elixir |
Jun 9, 2013at 7:30 pm | Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Church, Grove and Main Streets, Brattleboro, VTwith Elixir |
Jul 5, 2013to Jul 7, 2013 | Ooh La LaRichmond, Quebecwith Elixirw/ Crowfoot, and callers Rick Mohr and Dana Parkinson |
Jul 13, 2013at 7:00 pm | Whately BallJoanna Reiner (calling) and The Figments: Anna Patton (clarinet) and Owen Morrison (guitar/foot percussion) |
Jul 20, 2013at 8:00 pm | Greenfield 3rd Saturday Contra DanceGuiding Star Grange, 401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MAwith ElixirSue Rosen (calling) with Firetruck: Ethan Hazzard-Watkins (fiddle), Anna Patton (clarinet), and Bruce Rosen (piano/guitar) |
Aug 24, 2013to Aug 31, 2013 | American Dance and Music WeekPinewoods Camp, 80 Cornish Field Rd, Plymouth, MAwith Elixir |
Aug 31, 2013at 8:00 pm | Montpelier Contra DanceCapitol City Grange, Montpelier, VTwith Elixir |
Sep 1, 2013at 12:00 pm | New World FestivalMain St, Randolph, VTwith ElixirWe had a great time at our first New World Festival in 2012, and are thrilled to have been invited back for 2013...an all-day festival that is well worth the trip to Northern VT! Don't miss it. |
Sep 6, 2013at 8:00 pm | Concord Experienced Contra DanceConcord Scout House, 74 Walden St, Concord, MAwith ElixirFirst dance of 2013-2014 season! |
Sep 7, 2013at 8:00 pm | Peterborough Contra DancePeterborough Town Hall, Peterborough, NHwith ElixirFirst dance of the 2013-2014 season! |
Sep 8, 2013at 7:00 pm | Brattleboro Contra DanceThe Stone Church, Main and Grove Streets, Brattleboro, VTwith ElixirNils won't be with us, but we WILL have special guest Peter Amidon (calling/trombone) joining the band!! |
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.