Formed in 2003, Los Angeles-based SONUS QUARTET challenges the definition of the traditional string quartet by fusing together diverse musical styles in both performance and in original composition. Regular appearances in venues ranging from prestigious concert halls to dive bars and clubs allow the Sonus Quartet to enjoy experimenting with new sounds and interpretations while exposing audiences to unexpected musical experiences.
PERFORMANCES - Sonus has collaborated with a variety of esteemed artists such as Stevie Wonder at the Library of Congress, and Ringo Starr, Billy Preston and Dhani Harrison at The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited, as well as featured performances with Michael Buble, Babyface, Jewel, K.D. Lang, Gnarls Barkley, and Jeff Beck to name a few. In addition, Sonus has performed live shows with noted film composer Clint Mansell in Belgium, the UK, and in the Canary Islands. On the classical front, Sonus has played in concert halls such as Walt Disney Concert Hall, where they appeared alongside Los Angeles Philharmonic Concertmaster, Martin Chalifour, and a New York debut in Lincoln Center's Paul Hall. Recently, Sonus was featured in a recital at Walt Disney Concert Hall with Christian McBride on doublebass as part of the Grand Avenue Arts Festival. Sonus trained with the world-renowned Juilliard Quartet, performed alongside the Alexander Quartet, and completed a chamber music residency at the Banff Centre in Canada.
RECORDING - In the recording industry, Sonus has worked with producers Patrick Leonard, Randy Jackson, Danger Mouse, David Foster, T-Bone Burnett, Randy Jackson, Lester Mendez, Bob Ezrin, and Bill Bottrell and is featured on albums from Skye Edwards, Boyz II Men, Annie Stela, Natasha Beddingfield, Travis Tritt, Toby Lightman, 30 Seconds to Mars, Joker’s Daughter, Van Hunt, Martina Topley-Bird, John Frusciante, and Sparklehorse. Most recently, Sonus recorded music for Danger Mouse’s project ‘Dark Night of the Soul’, a collaboration of music by Danger Mouse, Sparklehorse and a host of guest vocalists alongside original artwork from famed director David Lynch.
TV - Appearing regularly on national television, Sonus has performed 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, the Ellen Degeneres Show, The Bonnie Hunt Show, and the MTV Movie Awards. '
FILM –Sonus has a close working relationship with well-known film composer Clint Mansell, and recently recorded his score for ‘Moon’. Sonus has performed Mansell’s works alongside him at the Ghent International Film Festival in Belgium, Union Chapel in London, and at the International Tenerife Film Festival in the Canary Islands. In addition to including film music in their live shows, Sonus recently recorded film scores written specifically for them by composers Jeff Rona and Double G (Geoff Gallegos).
COMPOSITION - Sonus plays an active role in composing and arranging music. Their quartet arrangements of Pablo de Sarasate’s 'Zigeunerweisen' and George Harrison’s 'Within You, Without You' are just a few examples of the many classical and non-classical pieces they have recorded and played live. In addition, Sonus also collaborates, writes and records for various artists. Sonus arrangements have been featured on John Frusciante’s ‘The Empyrean’, Van Hunt's 'On The Jungle Floor' and Martina Topley-Bird's 'The Blue God,’ and soon to be released albums by Boyz II Men and One Eskimo.
SONUS SHOWS - Sonus performs often in L.A., with shows that include a variety of repertoire from classical pieces such as a 15th century madrigal or a Shostakovich quartet, to popular music from The Cure or Clint Mansell’s ‘Lux Aeterna.’ In September 2009, Sonus will premier composer Geoff (Double G) Gallegos’ String Quartet No. 2 ‘Montalvo as well as ‘String Quartet No. 4, Plumed Horse’ (composed specifically for Sonus) at the Montalvo Arts Center in Saratoga, California. Sonus is currently in pre-production on their debut album.
