Formed in 2003, Los Angeles-based SONUS QUARTET is
forging a path to a new definition of the classical string quartet.
Their unconventional approach weaves effortlessly between musical
styles like classical, pop, rock, funk, folk, and hip-hop, as well
as fusing these styles together in concert and in original arrangements.
On the classical front, Sonus has performed in prestigious concert
halls, from appearances with Los Angeles Philharmonic Concertmaster
Martin Chalifour in Walt Disney Concert Hall, to a New York debut
in Lincoln Center's Paul Hall. They trained with the world-renowned
Juilliard Quartet, performed alongside the Alexander Quartet, and
completed a chamber music residency at the Banff Centre in Canada.
Their recordings have been broadcast repeatedly on KCSN FM radio.
Sonus is equally in demand in LA's popular music scene. Their performances
include The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited with Ringo Starr, Billy
Preston and Dhani Harrison, live performances with Sting, Jay-Z, Jewel,
K.D. Lang, Sarah McLachlan, Beth Orton, and Jeff Beck, to name a few,
as well as appearances on The Grammy's, The AMA's, The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with
Conan O'Brien, the Jimmy Kimmel Show, and The Megan Mullaly Show.
In the recording industry, Sonus has worked with producers Patrick
Leonard, Dangermouse, T-Bone Burnett, David Foster, Lester Mendez,
Bob Ezrin, and Bill Bottrell and are featured on recent albums from
Skye Edwards, Annie Stela, Natasha Beddingfield, Toby Lightman, 30
Seconds to Mars, Van Hunt, and upcoming albums from Martina Topley-Bird,
John Frusciante and Joker's Daughter. Sonus recently recorded movie
scores written specifically for them by composers Jeff Rona, Double
G (Geoff Gallegos), and Clint Mansell.
One of the things that sets Sonus apart from other string quartets
is the active role they play in writing and arranging their own music.
Sonus wrote original arrangements for their versions of 'Zigeunerweisen'
and 'Within You, Without You' as well as many other classical and
non-classical pieces they have performed live and recorded. They also
often write for the artists they record with, most recently having
arrangements featured on Van Hunt's 'On The Jungle Floor' and Martina
Topley-Bird's 'The Blue God.'
As well as playing in the quartet, the members of Sonus each have
active individual recording and performance careers, both in L.A.
and abroad. Individually they have performed alongside such legends
as Henri Mancini, Prince, Paul McCartney, and Stevie Wonder. They
are all members of the L.A. based hip-hop orchestra daKAH, and with
them have had the opportunity to perform at the New Orleans Jazz Festival,
South by Southwest, and The Playboy Jazz Festival.
Sonus performs often in L.A., with shows including a variety of repertoire
from Shostakovich to The Cure. They also regularly back other artists,
like Justin Clayton and Annie Stela, in live shows, and recently finished
touring with Gnarls Barkley. They are currently in pre-production
on their debut album...