Kip Jones & ETHEL

Kip Jones is a violinist in ETHEL, one of the most exciting string quartets anywhere. Traveling the world, he has studied many styles of music, and employs them creatively in his compositions. Members of ETHEL will join him in special appearances: Dorothy Lawson, cello, Ralph Farris, viola, and Corin Lee, violin, are each extraordinarily skilled musicians with a deep sense of heart connection. For Novel Stages, Kip will debut a set of four children’s songs written for TA-DA! Language Productions, makers of paper-electronic books for language learning. Join with the little ones in making elephant sounds, hearing the life story of a zebra, and burping a baby or two. 

Established in New York City in 1998, ETHEL quickly earned a reputation as one of America’s most adventurous string quartets. More than 20 years later, the band continues to set the standard for contemporary concert music. Known for its enlivened playing, blending uptown, conservatory musicianship with downtown genre-crossing, ETHEL has been described as “indefatigable and eclectic” (The New York Times), “vital and brilliant” (The New Yorker), and “infectiously visceral” (Pitchfork). Since its inception, ETHEL has released nine feature recordings (one of them nominated for a Native American Music Award), performed as guests on 40+ albums, premiered 225 new works, won a GRAMMY® with jazz legend Kurt Elling, and performed in 14 countries, 45 states, and 250 cities.