Started in 2005 as a voice-guitar-bass-drum unit The Fay Victor Ensemble (FVE) performs original material written by vocalist/composer Fay Victor and bass guitarist/composer Jochem van Dijk. The music is a sly combination of jazz, rock, contemporary music and improvisation. The Ensemble’s first recording - CARTWHEELS THROUGH THE COSMOS (ArtistShare 2007) - was an ambitious and adventurous project that overstepped and redefined the boundaries of what jazz singing is. It combined the thoughtfulness of observant lyric-writing, the excitement of improvising, and the structure of solid composing, captivating the listener with cinematic, story-driven pieces. Starting out with the song as the focal point for improvisational excursions, through suite-like shapes where blurred lines distinguish song forms, free improvisation and musical genres – where melodies pop up and go away again, maybe to return. Maybe not.

in 2009, the FVE released The FREESONG SUITE incorporating these elements with longer forms. The album went on to receive incredible critical acclaim including Best-of-Year Kudos from The Jazz Session, All About Jazz-NY and a 4th place slot in the prestigious Village Voice Jazz Critic’s Poll for Best Jazz Vocal Record of 2009, the only all original vocal project to do so. The became a drumless trio with new and different writing to reflect the sonic change which has now taken a tone of abstract performance artsong continuing the integration of stories, cinematic musical excursions, knotty and flexible compositions, intricate improvisations and absurd theatre. October 2013 the FVE will release Absinthe & Vermouth.

The FVE has performed at such venues as Roulette/Location One, Firehouse 12, BAM Cafe Live, The Vision Festival XV, Rhythm in the Kitchen Festival, The Stone, Cornelia Street Cafe, The Bop Shop(Rochester, NY), Sanctuary For Independent Media, Sweet Rhythm, An Die Musik (Baltimore), The Rotunda (Philadelphia), The Evolving Music Series, The 21st Century Schizoid Series and the 55BAR - the band's home and honing ground since 2005.
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