Chris Votek: Memories of a Shadow Chris Votek

• Chris Votek: Memories of a Shadow:
• 1 Votek: Memories of a Shadow: I. Serpents 07:22
• 2 Votek: Memories of a Shadow: II. Fossil Dance 08:53
• 3 Votek: Memories of a Shadow: III. Migration of the Fires 12:16
• Traditional: Bhimpalasi (Chota Khyal) [Arr. C. Votek for Cello & Tabla]:
• 4 Traditional: Bhimpalasi (Chota Khyal) [Arr. C. Votek for Cello & Tabla] 22:48
• Total Runtime 51:19

Info for Chris Votek: Memories of a Shadow

Acclaimed as a “creative force,” cellist and composer Chris Votek, who is one of LA’s most in demand studio artists and composers, is celebrating the release of Memories of a Shadow, on MicroFest Records, with a concert on March 5 at the Pico Union Project. The release marks Votek’s bold recording debut as both a traditionalist performing Hindustani raga on cello, and an innovative composer exploring the intersection between Western and Indian Classical traditions.

Refracting Indian classical music through the lens of modern Western chamber music, the program will include a traditional raga presentation in Gayaki-Ang (vocal) style with master of the singing violin, Kala Ramnath, leading Votek’s cello and Dhillon’s tabla; Votek’s string quintet Memories of a Shadow, a cathartic three movement work blending raga melody with European polyphony, and an encore performance of Sands of Time, an arrangement for string sextet, Indian violin, and tabla of a traditional Rajasthani Folk Medley arranged by Votek and Dhillon originally created for Ustad Zakir Hussain, Ramnath and the San Francisco Symphony. The artists include violinists Andrew Tholl and Adrianne Pope, violists Ben Bartelt and Tom Lea, and cellist Derek Stein.

"Chris Votek is one man fluent in two grand traditions, refracting Indian classical music through the lens of modern Western chamber music. Superbly blending raga melody with early European polyphony, his string quintet Memories of a Shadow is followed by the serene afternoon raga Bhimpalasi perfectly suited to the deep voice of his cello in delightful conversation with Neelamjit Dhillon’s tabla. The composer is one of the world’s few cellists performing in the rare Gayaki-Ang vocal style of Hindustani music." (John Schneider, KPFK Radio)

Andrew Tholl, violin (Memories of a Shadow)
Adrianne Pope, violin
Ben Bartelt, viola
Derek Stein, cello
Chris Votek, cello
Chris Votek, cello (Bhimpalasi Chota Khyal)
Neeamjit Dhillon, tabla

Chris Votek
Votek’s fluency in musical languages from North Indian classical, Arabic, electronica, jazz, ambient, Western classical to pop, makes him highly sought after as a performer, composer, arranger, recording artist, producer and sound engineer. A disciple of the legendary Indian violinist Dr. N. Rajam, Votek is one of the few cellists in the world performing the rare Gayaki-Ang style Hindustani Raga.

Recent highlights include arranging music with Dhillon for Rhythm Spirits, a collaboration between Ustad Zakir Hussain, Kala Ramnath, and the San Francisco Symphony. His compositions have been performed at REDCAT, the Hammer Museum, Clockshop, and the San Francisco Symphony’s experimental late-night concert series SF Soundbox. Votek has toured 4 continents with acclaimed songwriter Julia Holter and performed at the Royal Opera House Muscat as principal cellist of Nabil Azzam’s Arabic orchestra MESTO. As a touring and studio cellist, Votek has worked with Chris Martin, Father John Misty, Wild Up, Bridge to Everywhere, Kamasi Washington, The Dirty Projectors, Amanda Palmer, The Marias, and Homayoun Shajarian among others. He recently performed with the Silk Road Ensemble at the Smithsonian Institution with Persian singer Mamak Khadem.

With a discography of close to 100 recordings, 20 film and TV scores, composer and producer of 7 short film scores and one feature length documentary score, Memories of a Shadow marks Votek’s first title dedicated to his original music. Votek can also be heard on the 2021 Grammy nominated album Cinema by The Marias, and on Khadem’s newest album, Remembrance, performing with Chris Martin of Coldplay, an album on which Votek also served as co-producer and arranger.

Booklet for Chris Votek: Memories of a Shadow