Memories of A Shadow
Press Kit
"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
Genre: Classical, Chamber, Hindustani Raga
Click CD cover to the Left for streaming audio, track listings, and timings on bandcamp
For interview requests, more information or copies of the recording, please contact Genevieve Spielberg at 908-608-1325 or genevieve@gsiartists.com
Biography
Chris Votek is an acclaimed cellist and composer whose 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 for Rhythm Spirits, a collaboration between Ustad Zakir Hussein, master Indian violinist 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, WildUp, Bridge to Everywhere, and The Marias, among others. He recently performed with the Silk Road Ensemble at the Smithsonian Institution with Persian singer Mamak Khadem, and toured the US with Homayoun Shajarian.
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, this world premiere recording marks Votek’s first title solely 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.
A California native, Votek is a community leader and committed educator, teaching at risk youth in Los Angeles through the award-winning non-profit Harmony Project.
Press Photos
Quotes
“Melodies imbued with mysticism and preciousness… Transcendent”
“A creative force”
“a refined and artful exposition of the emotional potential inherent in string music, masterfully performed - the kind of music you wish would last longer.”
“What impresses me most is Chris Votek’s amazing ability to grasp immediately and effortlessly the spirit of Indian music, its subtleties and finer nuances, verbatim.
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“Mesmerizing Indian Vocal Ragas, the effect is beautiful”
“Dreamy”
Trailer
Memories of a Shadow : Live Performance
Hindustani Raga Duet with Neelamjit Dhillon
