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All about ETHEL --- the American string quartet that's anything but a string quartet.

By Rich Fisher

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kwgs/local-kwgs-817328.mp3

Tulsa, Oklahoma – On this edition of StudioTulsa, we learn about ETHEL, the hip and ever-exploratory string quartet formed in New York City about a decade ago --- per the UK's Guardian newspaper, they're "the most bad-ass quartet around." Composed entirely of Juilliard-trained musicians, the band is celebrated for its interdisciplinary and fearless approach to music-making --- blues, jazz, roots, rock, folk, punk, tango, classical, avant-garde . . . they do it all. Moreover, ETHEL will be performing this week here in Tulsa (at the PAC) on both Tuesday night (1/27/09; a cabaret performance) and Wednesday night (1/28/09; a concert performance). As we learn on today's program from Mary Rowell, a violinist with the group, ETHEL performs self-composed works as well as those by notable contemporary composers. They've shared the stage with the likes of Todd Rundgren and Joe Jackson, and members of ETHEL have also recorded or performed with Sheryl Crow, Gorillaz, Roger Daltrey, Yo-Yo Ma, Ornette Coleman, Lenny Kravitz, Jill Sobule, Thomas Dolby, and Gutbucket. They are, in sum, all over the map --- in fact, brilliantly so. They're also one of a kind, and you can learn more about this band at their website [ethelcentral.com] --- plus, you can get tickets for their shows in Tulsa at the PAC's website [tulsapac.com].