Solo Violin & String Ensembles by Edgar Gabriel String Quartet from Arlington Heights, IL

I am a classical violinist, violist, jazz/rock violinist and fiddler. I offer several choices of string ensembles for your event. 1) My Duo “The String Shredders” is violin and guitar; we play a variety of rock and pop music with classical and jazz selections. In 2019 we released our first CD “Change the World” of cover songs from everything from Pink Floyd to Ed Sheeran. During 2020, we released dozens of social distance videos and were featured on WGN News. 2) My String ensemble “The Continental String Ensemble” is a String Quartet (or Trio) with guitar instead of cello. We are primarily a classical ensemble, however we do cover pop, rock and jazz. The CSE is currently working on an album of Victorian Parlor music, specifically music from the 1893 Chicago Worlds Fair. 3) I have the best traditional String Quartet and Trio in Chicago. Having played 100's of gigs, “Edgar Gabriel String Ensembles” have provided music for the finest hotels in Chicago such as the Ritz Carleton and Four Seasons. We performed for the president of the United States, Mayor of Chicago and several Governors of Illinois and were the onstage string quartet for Steppenwolf Theatre's “A Clockwork Orange”. Our repertoire consists of almost any classical quartet or trio, plus jazz, rock and the current popular hits is too great to list. 4) In addition to the aforementioned ensembles, I often perform as a duo with piano, harp and even accordion. I can also provide strolling violins for the ultimate chic events. For the intimate occasion I enjoy performing solo violin. All of my ensembles can be amplified, I have great experience with electric violin and I am a sound engineer. Sometimes there is an extra fee for sound sometimes not; it all depends on how much equipment is needed and the venue. I have extensive experience performing in many venues in Chicago and can determine whether you need sound and how much once I know all the details about your event. Finally, If you are looking for a great rock/funk/dance band, my band "StringFusion" might be just what you are looking for. I can handle all of any live musical needs and save you money if you book more than one ensemble for an event. My prices are reasonable but professional. I am not a booking agency and only book jobs that I can personally play and attend. I specialize every performance for each client and hold myself and my musicians to the highest standards. I am a performer, composer and educator. I played with Cirque du Soleil's Mystere in Las Vegas and Dralion on tour. I am a session violinist and performed on many recordings such as the Plain White T's "Big Bad World" and Cheap Trick's "Special One". I am very fortunate to have performed with some of the greatest musicians in the world such as “Plant & Page (Led Zeppelin), Elvis Costello, Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli, Jean Luc Ponty, Rachel Barton Pine and many more. My publications and App “String Groove” are used worldwide to teach string students how to play jazz, rock, blues and fiddle music. I hold an undergraduate degree in music from Northern Illinois University and a Masters in Music from DePaul University. I am on the music faculties of Harper College and Elmhurst University.