Annex String Quartet | |
|---|---|
 The Annex String Quartet performing in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto. | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | The Annex Quartet |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Classical,World,Contemporary Classical |
| Occupation | String quartet |
| Instrument(s) | 2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Members | Stanislav Pronin Carolyn Blackwell Yunior Lopez Peter Cosbey |
| Past members | Melissa Wilmot Teddy Wiggins |
| Website | www |
TheAnnex String Quartet, also known asThe Annex Quartet, is astring quartet founded in 2008 byviolist Yunior Lopez inToronto, Ontario, Canada. Named afterThe Annex neighbourhood in downtown Toronto, the quartet began performing regularly in Toronto's bars, coffee shops, and non-classical venues likeAroma Espresso Bar and theSt. Lawrence Market. In 2010, they made their American debut alongside theKronos Quartet atCarnegie Hall,[citation needed] and have since appeared in over 100 performances, recordings, and broadcasts.[1]
The group's focus has been on bridging the gap between classical and world music. They have performed and recorded in various musical styles, and continue to work with a diverse range of artists including classical pianistJan Lisiecki,[2] Cuban jazz pianistHilario Durán,[3] and Canadian jazz iconJane Bunnett.
In June 2013, the Annex Quartet released their official debut album,The Roaring Twenties. In 2014, the group was to record a Cuban tour withCuban Bolero singer Anais Abreu, but the concerts were cancelled.[4][5] In 2019, the quartet released its second album,Latinoamericana.
The quartet was the ensemble-in-residence at Toronto'sMidtown Music School[citation needed] andThe Stratford Summer Music Festival[citation needed]. As of 2021, Lopez is withThe Young Artists Orchestra of Las Vegas, which he founded in 2015. Blackwell is part of theArt of Time Ensemble, Cosbey is a member of theThunder Bay Symphony Orchestra and Pronin performs and records independently.
