Harlem Quartet

An evening with the multi Grammy Award winning Harlem Quartet in the historic Sheridan Opera House

About the Harlem Quartet…

Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet, featuring Ilmar Gavilán, Melissa White, Jaime Amador, and Felix Umansky, has earned acclaim for its dynamic performances and fresh approach to classical music. The New York Times praised their “panache,” while the Cincinnati Enquirer lauded their “new attitude to classical music.” Grammy-winning woodwind virtuoso Ted Nash of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra has been quoted saying, “Harlem Quartet is one of the greatest string quartets I have ever heard. They can play anything.” This ensemble has performed in 47 states and four continents, has been featured on numerous national television spots such as the Today Show and News Hour, and has even performed for first lady Michelle Obama at the White House. They are most well-known for their innovative programming, both through their own work and collaborations, which seamlessly mixes classical repertoire with jazz, and Latin, as well as contemporary works by composers from underrepresented backgrounds, championing diversity in classical music to their core. 

Their commitment to education has been recognized through prestigious grants, such as the Cultural Connections Artist-In-Residence grant from James Madison University and the 2016 Guarneri String Quartet grant from Chamber Music America. Harlem Quartet has also served as quartet-in-residence at institutions such as the John J. Cali School of Music in Montclair and the Royal College of Music in London.

In collaboration with renowned artists like pianists Michael Brown and Awadagin Pratt, clarinetists Paquito D’Rivera and Anthony McGill, and jazz legends Stanley Clarke and John Patitucci, the quartet continues to push musical boundaries. Harlem Quartet’s ongoing partnership with Imani Winds has resulted in acclaimed performances and a 2023 Grammy Award for their recording ‘Passion for Bach & Coltrane’. Harlem Quartet’s discography includes a wide range of their own albums and guest features, most notably their collaboration on Hot House with Gary Burton and Chick Corea, which earned a Grammy for Best Instrumental Composition.