Quartet San Francisco received two Grammy nominations yesterday for their latest Violinjazz Recordings CD, QSF Plays Brubeck. The CD, which is the first all-Brubeck string quartet recording, was nominated in the Classical Crossover category and is the group's third consecutive Best Album nomination.
QSF Plays Brubeck was also nominated as Best Engineered Classical CD. The disc was recorded by Judy Kirschner at Skywalker Ranch, Nicasio, CA.
The quartet's previous CDs, Latigo (2006) and Whirled Chamber Music (2007), were similarly honored in the Best Classical Crossover Album category. In addition, Latigo was nominated for Best Engineered Classical Album (recorded by veteran engineer Leslie Ann Jones, also at Skywalker Ranch).
“We are so pleased to receive this nomination for our Brubeck CD," says violinist Jeremy Cohen. “Dave's music is so joyful and inspiring, and we are so pleased to express it as string players. This nomination is a great affirmation, and it encourages us to keep on doing what we're doing."
Quartet San Francisco's personnel, in addition to Cohen, includes Alisa Rose (violin), Keith Lawrence (viola), and Michelle Djokic (cello). The group was established in 2001.
Other honorees in the Best Classical Crossover Album category are: Conspirare, A Company of Voices (Conspirare in Concert); Paquito D'Rivera Quintet, Jazz-Clazz; Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Melody of Rhythm (with Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer); Theo Bleckmann, Kneebody, Twelve Songs by Charles Ives; and Yo-Yo Ma & Friends, Songs of Joy and Peace.
QSF Plays Brubeck was produced by Andrea Liguori; Jeremy Cohen served as executive producer. Judy Kirschner was the recording and mastering engineer.
Quartet San Francisco: QSF Plays Brubeck
“As the QSF continues to dismantle the stuffy chamber music stereotype, it turns new light on the beauty of Brubeck's compositions, even weaving some of his original piano solos into their arrangements. . . This CD is innovative, adventurous and brilliantly played. A real treat." --Judith Schlesinger, AllAboutJazz.com
“The ability to swing began to steal into the ranks of classical strings players a few years ago. Although they may not discuss it in the polite company of their easily-shocked older colleagues, some of them are also improvising with proficiency and joy. There is convincing evidence of both phenomena in the QSF's CD of 10 pieces by Dave Brubeck, and Paul Desmond's 'Take Five.'" --Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
“The QSF is very comfortable with this material and there's a wonderful rhythmic looseness in their version [of 'Strange Meadowlark']. . . . The final melody chorus, originally solo piano, is orchestrated for the full quartet for a superb and fulfilling ending." --Tom Cunniffe, Jazz.com
“Highly worth checking out for any keyboard aficionado, thanks to the group's unpredictable arrangements of classic Dave Brubeck tracks--and the vivacious performances thereof. . . . An outstanding reinvention of a classic jazz piano hero's work." --Michael Gallant, Keyboard
QSF Plays Brubeck was also nominated as Best Engineered Classical CD. The disc was recorded by Judy Kirschner at Skywalker Ranch, Nicasio, CA.
The quartet's previous CDs, Latigo (2006) and Whirled Chamber Music (2007), were similarly honored in the Best Classical Crossover Album category. In addition, Latigo was nominated for Best Engineered Classical Album (recorded by veteran engineer Leslie Ann Jones, also at Skywalker Ranch).
“We are so pleased to receive this nomination for our Brubeck CD," says violinist Jeremy Cohen. “Dave's music is so joyful and inspiring, and we are so pleased to express it as string players. This nomination is a great affirmation, and it encourages us to keep on doing what we're doing."
Quartet San Francisco's personnel, in addition to Cohen, includes Alisa Rose (violin), Keith Lawrence (viola), and Michelle Djokic (cello). The group was established in 2001.
Other honorees in the Best Classical Crossover Album category are: Conspirare, A Company of Voices (Conspirare in Concert); Paquito D'Rivera Quintet, Jazz-Clazz; Detroit Symphony Orchestra, The Melody of Rhythm (with Bela Fleck, Zakir Hussain, Edgar Meyer); Theo Bleckmann, Kneebody, Twelve Songs by Charles Ives; and Yo-Yo Ma & Friends, Songs of Joy and Peace.
QSF Plays Brubeck was produced by Andrea Liguori; Jeremy Cohen served as executive producer. Judy Kirschner was the recording and mastering engineer.
Quartet San Francisco: QSF Plays Brubeck
“As the QSF continues to dismantle the stuffy chamber music stereotype, it turns new light on the beauty of Brubeck's compositions, even weaving some of his original piano solos into their arrangements. . . This CD is innovative, adventurous and brilliantly played. A real treat." --Judith Schlesinger, AllAboutJazz.com
“The ability to swing began to steal into the ranks of classical strings players a few years ago. Although they may not discuss it in the polite company of their easily-shocked older colleagues, some of them are also improvising with proficiency and joy. There is convincing evidence of both phenomena in the QSF's CD of 10 pieces by Dave Brubeck, and Paul Desmond's 'Take Five.'" --Doug Ramsey, Rifftides
“The QSF is very comfortable with this material and there's a wonderful rhythmic looseness in their version [of 'Strange Meadowlark']. . . . The final melody chorus, originally solo piano, is orchestrated for the full quartet for a superb and fulfilling ending." --Tom Cunniffe, Jazz.com
“Highly worth checking out for any keyboard aficionado, thanks to the group's unpredictable arrangements of classic Dave Brubeck tracks--and the vivacious performances thereof. . . . An outstanding reinvention of a classic jazz piano hero's work." --Michael Gallant, Keyboard
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