Catchy, passionate, and genre-bending, the twelve original compositions of String Theory's debut album are truly an eclectic mix.
Sarah Wallin Huff on violin and vocals brings a classical and folk influence to the band; Danielle Cummins on violin brings a Celtic and country influence; Ken Glaser on guitar, bass, and vocals brings a rock and minimalist influence; and Keith Buerger on percussion brings a jazz and baroque influence. As diverse as the songs are, they share a common thread of energy, spirit, and exploration, with the members shaping the sound by adding touches of flugelhorn, theremin, piano, and vibraphone.
The disc opens with a group composition reminiscent of the Moody Blues, featuring an upbeat violin motif, a forward-looking narrative, and a memorable chorus. To close the disc, the group grafted contemporary lyrics onto a 17th century classical composition to create a fun and sophisticated Christmas song that may well become a holiday standard. In between, well ... you'll just have to hear for yourself.
String Theory was birthed from the rambunctious desire to experience the art and joy of busking: street performing. As experienced professional violinists of the concert stage, Sarah Wallin Huff and Dr. Danielle Cummins longed for the chance to play music that they loved from all genres across the musical spectrum, in a casual and spontaneous environment where they could connect intimately with their listeners. Enlisting the help of guitarist/bassist/vocalist Ken Glaser and percussionist Keith Buerger, this most unusual and unlikely quartet first ventured out to perform on the Third Street Promenade of Santa Monica in October 2011. Connecting enthusiastically with the gathering crowds, String Theory’s “Parallel Universes of Sound” offers something for every person in a sincere and engaging musical experience. They continue to delight listeners on the Promenade to this day, as well as intrigue audiences in various concert settings: covering favorites from Pink Floyd to Moody Blues and John Lennon to Green Day; performing unique arrangements of Celtic, Bluegrass, and Baroque traditions; and performing originals written by the group’s members.
Sarah Wallin Huff (MA, Music Composition) has been playing the violin since 1989 and has enjoyed extensive musical experience as a performer of all styles in a great variety of groups, recording projects, and solo and ensemble concerts across the USA and eleven European countries, as well as gaining wide-spread success as a music instructor and concert composer. Sarah loves expressing the wonders of the Universe through her highly eclectic tastes of musical styles and eras. Danielle Rosaria Cummins (DMA, Violin Performance) is dedicated to bringing forth truth and beauty through the art of music. She has played throughout Southern California with ensembles such as Musica Angelica, the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the Long Beach Opera, Con Gioia, the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestra, and the Riverside County Philharmonic, as well as in Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary with the Classical Music Festival. Ken Glaser is a talented and creative singer/songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who formed his first band at age ten and has been making award-winning music videos since 2007. Ken provides a strong rock, folk, and minimalist sensibility to the group. Percussionist Keith Buerger is as at home performing in venerated halls like the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City or Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles as he is playing the spoons on the streets of Santa Monica as a member of String Theory. His influences range from the classical repertoire to the music of video games, and if two items can be rubbed or struck together to make a sound, odds are he’s used them in a performance.
String Theory is a project of passion. The group is able to explore a wide variety of musical tastes while maintaining a sound that is truly “String Theory.” The unique instrumentation and eclectic style embrace all that music is meant to be in its richness and variety.
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