Shoko Nagai & Satoshi Takeishi’s Vortex

Shoko Nagai & Satoshi Takeishi's Vortex started in 2001 as a way to expand the possibility of sonic palette for the use in contemporary classical, jazz composition and improvisation. Shoko Nagai (piano, accordion, analog synthesizers, electronics) and Satoshi Takeishi (playing a unique “hybrid set” consisting of both western and eastern tradition percussion) using a variety of acoustic instruments and electronic processing, have successfully created sonic world of such vividness that their music has been described as " Treat every moment as an opportunity for deep synchronicity”- NY Times Giovanni Russonello. Their mission is to integrate cultural, technological and musical elements that surround us in everyday life into a coherent musical structure. All the possibilities of the musical elements accessible to them and the strength of the duo as performers crosses any boundary, while at the same time never losing connection to the spirit of improvisation. The duo has tour and concerts world wide. Several of their scored works can be heard in a full feature film and documentary films ( HBO, PBS, Toronto, Vancouver International film festival received Impact award 2016 and DOC NYC) Vortex is 2023 New York Foundation for Arts Fellow, 2021 Chamber Music America Fellow, 2021 City Arts Coup 2021, and 2008 JazzJantz Fellow.

SHOKO NAGAI (Composer/Pianist /Accordionist /Improviser) Shoko Nagai is a versatile musical artist who improvises and performs with world-renowned musicians on piano and accordion and composes original scores for films (Linda Hoaglund, Mari Kawade) and live performances. Since moving to the U.S. from Japan and studying classical and jazz music at Berklee, she has adapted her mastery of the keyboard to prepared piano, accordion, Moog synthesizer, and other instruments. Whether she is performing Klezmer, Balkan or experimental music, Ms.Nagai is Fellow of 2023 and 2010 New York Foundation Arts, M3 (Mutual Mentorship for Musicians) 2023, 2021 Chamber Music America, 2021 City Artist Corps, 2008 JazJants 2008. A veteran of the New York downtown music scene, she performs with John Zorn, Erik Friedlander, Marc Ribot, Frank London, Miho Hatori (Cibo Matto), Ned Rothenberg, Satoshi Takeishi, Elliot Sharp and many eclectic performers.

SATOSHI TAKEISHI Drums/Percussion/Arranger/Producer Whether behind a drum set, a hybrid percussion set or computer-based electronics, “connecting the contrasting elements beyond genre in quest of the essence" is what Japanese-born musician/improviser Satoshi Takeishi strives for in his performances. After attending Berklee College of Music, he has lived in Colombia, South America and Miami, Florida before arriving in NYC in 1991. He has performed and recorded in a vast variety of genres, executing in styles of jazz, rock, contemporary classical, avant-garde, experimental electronic, and world music. Takeishi received a Grammy award 2015 with Paul Winter Consort and "Rising Star of 2019" Jazz critical poll as a percussionist and continues to move among a wide range of musical environments and constantly strives for an integration of his diverse musical experience and knowledge.

venue is wheelchair accessible