QUARTET SAN FRANCISCO: MOTOWN UNPLUGGED

The Bay Area’s premiere crossover string ensemble, Quartet San Francisco, was founded in 2001 by classical and jazz violinist Jeremy Cohen. “QSF was born out of the desire to create a genre of string chamber literature that gathers its material from popular music elements of recent decades,” Cohen explains, “still maintaining the integrity and spirit of traditional chamber music.” Joining him in the group are Cullen Luper (violin), Chad Kaltinger (viola), and Tyler DeVigal (cello). “I like to tailor textures and lines that maximize the strengths of the players in the group. I really do think about the distinct musical personalities around me in the quartet, and I write very specifically with my three colleagues in mind,” says Cohen.

Quartet San Francisco has been recognized for their excellence in the classical- crossover genre with three Grammy nominations. QSF’s recordings have accumulated a total of eight Grammy nominations combined over the years. On stage QSF is stimulating, energetic, and provocative. The group performs material by Cohen and others in multiple genres—Latin, pop, jazz, bluegrass, R&B, and international music.

QSF takes on all styles with authenticity and thoughtfulness, delivering them all with enthusiasm and formidable technique. 

QSF’s dedication to expanding the literature for the string quartet medium is at the heart of the group. Cohen explains, “We want it to be diverse, exciting, and eclectic. We’re always working toward an emotionally charged experience with a lot of craft and skill, not just for our listeners but for ourselves, too. We leave our concerts with an all-around better feeling about life, and I think our audiences do, as well.” He adds, “Music can do so many things: heal, amuse, challenge, educate, comfort, organize. We work hard to infuse our concerts with that wide array of what music can do for the human spirit.” 

For over more than twenty years QSF has concertized extensively throughout the United States. The group’s international tours have included Argentina, China, Italy, Germany, Japan, New Caledonia, South Korea, and Turkey. Their concerts in performing arts centers range from recital programs to symphony orchestra subscription concerts performing Jeremy Cohen’s “Concerto Carnevale for String Quartet and Orchestra.”

The group’s most current recording project, Raymond Scott Reimagined (Violinjazz Recordings, 2023) focuses on the legacy of the American composer Raymond Scott, whose character-filled works were frequently used in the Warner Brothers Merrie Melodies cartoons. The quartet collaborated on this project with Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band and the celebrated vocal group Take Six.

The quartet also presents small and large-scale programs with tango dancers Sandor and Parissa, who have appeared on Dancing with the Stars.

Kenny Washington has thrilled audiences across the globe with his soulful interpretations, seemingly limitless range, and inventive scatting. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington appeared in 2013 with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra to perform Blood On The Fields, alongside vocalists Gregory Porter and Paula West. He returned in 2014 for Basie & The Blues with pianist Eric Reed and again in 2016 to celebrate Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. In 2017, Washington performed with Wynton Marsalis and The Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra alongside Roberta Gambarini, to celebrate Ella Fitzgerald’s 100th birthday.

Born and raised in New Orleans, Washington grew up singing gospel in church and playing saxophone in school bands. Jazz caught his interest when the great clarinetist Alvin Batiste performed at his high school with a band of students that included two precocious, talented teenage brothers named Branford and Wynton Marsalis. Inspired, Washington went on to study music at Xavier University, playing saxophone and singing in a variety of styles.

After college, Washington joined the honorary U.S. Navy Band Guam, followed by the U.S. Navy Band 7th Fleet stationed in Japan. He auditioned as a saxophonist, but discovery of his singing talent landed him a spot as a vocalist in both bands. For nine years, Washington performed with the bands across Asia, Russia, Australia and the U.S.

After settling in the San Francisco Bay Area, Washington was cast alongside Elvis Costello, Deborah Harry and Nancy King in a featured role in Fire at Keaton's Bar & Grill, an off-Broadway theater production by saxophonist Roy Nathanson. Further success came with an invitation to join vibraphonist Joe Locke on several dates leading to Washington’s feature on Locke’s For The Love of You (2010).

Washington continues to appears nationally and internationally with The Joe Locke Group as well as maintain a busy schedule of solo national and international appearances.