Based in Los Angeles, Detroit Illharmonic Symphony is a multi-piece ensemble of musicians (cello, violin, bass, horns, percussion, guitar, piano, turntables and vocals) mixing hip hop, classical and jazz with world rhythms.
Formed in 2000 to provide classical music for an animated television series produced by Klasky Csupo animation, this unusual yet ear-friendly group has been destroying musical boundaries since its inception. One of the first pieces it created for the TV show was a hip hop rendition of Bizét’s Habanera Suite from Carmen.
This explosive mixing of genres inspired them to experiment and refine the Illharmonic sound. When the TV series fizzled, the Illharmonic stayed together, adding heavy doses of jazz, funk and world beat into their mix. The resulting sound is equally at home in the clubs, on the street or in the concert hall. Over the next few years, they performed across the US and Mexico and released four albums, all of which received critical acclaim and international airplay.
In addition, the Illharmonic provided original music to a number of television commercials, shows and film shorts. The group’s many members come from varied backgrounds: hip hop, classical, jazz, punk, reggae and soul, and include former members of Dakah, Beats-N-Bluntz, 4 or 5 Dopes and the L.A. Posse (who produced platinum records for LL Cool J, Whodini and Run DMC).
The Illharmonic have been studio based for a few years now, but as they work on their newest album, they are looking for new musicians to start doing live shows again.