Today we’d like to introduce you to Ion Zanca.
When he moved to the US from Romania in 2001, violist Ion Zanca didn’t expect to organize a string quartet that now has over 30 million streams on Spotify, four million views on YouTube and receives more than one million streams per week on Pandora from dedicated fans. He came here originally to go to LSU in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, but he soon discovered that the scholarship that he’d been offered didn’t cover room or board. “I was really struggling, and I considered going home,” recalls Zanca. But, he laughs, “my mother told everybody that her son was studying in the US, so I wasn’t about to go back home; she was so proud of me.” At the time, Zanca met several friends who encouraged him, and his faith also provided him with strength.
Three years later, Zanca moved to Dallas to start classes at SMU. That’s when “I found a beautiful Romanian girl I wanted to date,” he laughs. Her father wasn’t so thrilled with Zanca’s dating his daughter, though, because Zanca didn’t have a steady job. So, Zanca started a string quartet. “We played weddings, dances, and whatever gigs we could find.” At first, it was mostly a traditional string quartet, but in 2007 Zanca and the rest of the Dallas String Quartet decided to take their music up a notch. “We were playing at this event,” he recalls, “and nobody could hear us. That’s when we decided to electrify our instruments. That was an adjustment even for us since we had to get used to the tones and textures we were getting from going electric.”
That’s also the year that DSQ started including rock music, such as the Verve’s “Bittersweet Symphony” and Coldplay’s songs, in its set. And fans absolutely loved it! “One fan came up to me after a show and said to me,” recalls Zanca, “I would love for you to record this music—and I’ll give you the money to do it—so I can give the CDs away.” DSQ discovered how much their fans loved the combination of musical styles when the group sold something like 300 CDs in an hour, says Zanca. In 2007, he recalls, the group also started using IPads rather than sheets on stage.
Four years later, “we started adding color and texture to our shows,” says Zanca. DSQ grew from a quartet to a sextet—though their name remains the same—adding guitarist Anthony Plant and percussionist Efren Guzman, Jr. “A lot of the fan base is used to string music,” Zanca says, “but we want to continue to grow. We combine jazz and classical and rock, and one day we might have an entire brass section and a piano. You know, finding your own voice with just instrumental music can be hard; but we’re working to find out voice within DSQ.” Also, Zanca points out, the name Dallas String Quartet doesn’t quite capture the richness of the music or the composition of the group. “Nobody’s really from Dallas,” he laughs; “we’re from Romania, South Korea, California, and people in the group have played with Snarky Puppy, Ellis Marsalis, Placido Domingo, and Arturo Castro.” There’s a lot of personality in our group, he says, and their shows and music reflect the wide-ranging character of the group. “The first half of our show is classical,” Zanca says, “and the second half is more rock.” “Fans tells us they see two shows in one,” he laughs.
DSQ has traveled a long way, spiritually and musically, since it started. One thing has never changed, though. Zanca says, “All of us are passionate about making good quality music. We always try to say something new with it, whether it’s classical or rock. We want to bring the best of all these genres. We serve the music, not a genre of music. No matter what we do, we do it the best we can.”
DSQ continues to ride a huge wave of popularity. It has drawn national and international attention, performing for Presidents Obama and Bush, the College Football Playoffs, NBA, and NFL organizations. DSQ has sold out concert venues like the House of Blues and symphony halls and has played alongside Josh Groban, Chicago, and the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. You’ll find the group in publications such as ESPN, A&E, The Wall Street Journal—which said “this not your grandmother’s string quartet”—and prominent Spotify playlists such as Pop Goes Classical and Sinfonía Hipster.
The group is comprised of composer and violinist Ion Zanca, violinists Eleanor Dunbar and Melissa Priller, bassist Young Heo, guitarist Anthony Plant and percussionist/drummer Efren Guzman.
Zanca is a versatile violist who’s been celebrated on the classical stage as well as on the jazz and contemporary music scene. He is also a voting member of the Recording Academy and is the artistic visionary behind the DSQ Electric ensemble.
Violinist Melissa Priller is a professional violinist experienced in many playing styles with a passion for performing and a virtuosic flare that electrifies stages across the country. Playing classical and electric violin, Melissa has recorded several albums and singles with various professional artists. She has also gained international touring experience by playing for the likes of Pope Benedict XVI in Rome and Prince William Lobkowicz in Prague.
Violinist Eleanor Dunbar is an accomplished and commanding artist, performing regularly as a soloist, chamber music enthusiast, and concertmaster. Under the tutelage of violinist Gail Gerding Mellert, this native of California began her performance career throughout California, entered and placed in many competitions, and appeared as a soloist with symphonies such as the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.
Young Heo is a professional jazz bassist who has had the opportunity to play in a professional setting with Ellis Marsalis, Adonis Rose, Delfaeyo Marsalis, Stefan Karlsson, and Bernard Wright and recorded over twenty albums, including One O’clock Lab Band in 2013.
Guitarist Anthony Plant has played with many legends including Michael W Smith, Antonio Sanchez (Pat Metheny Group), Randy Brecker, Ronnie Laws, the Temptations, Bucky Pizzarelli, and Snarky Puppy, to name a few. His own solo album, The Colour Out of Space (2012), contains his original compositions and arrangements.
Percussionist, Efren Guzman Jr. toured the US and Canada as a member of the Grammy-nominated One O’Clock Jazz Band in 1991 and has recorded with artists such as Armando Manzanero, Placido Domingo, Arturo Castro, Emmanuel and Mexican superstar Alejandro Fernandez, with whom he recorded his latest DVD. He was the drummer of Mexican pop artist Reyli Barba and performed for the Latin American Grammy Awards in Las Vegas in November 2011.
On November 8, DSQ released its first-ever Christmas album. On the album’s first single, which came out on October 25, DSQ delivers a shimmering and prancing version of the ever-popular holiday tune “My Favorite Things.” The opening measures of the song lay down a sonic chamber rock-like vibe, creating a spacious atmosphere into which violins flutter in a fanciful flight of desire. Zanca’s viola provides the thematic undercurrent around which Dunbar’s and Priller’s violins float. Piano chords play call and response with the violins, and about two minutes into the song, Plant’s guitar winds around the flittering violins. DSQ captures the yearning desire and the wistful longing of “My Favorite Things,” DSQ’s version is destined to become a holiday classic.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think for all musicians there is a time when you struggle a bit with finding the right fit for your group. You need to all be on the same page with your goals, mission and style of music. In the classical realm, there is a fine line of what your audience is seeking out. I think for us, adding a touch of pop has been tricky but ultimately added the variety we were all looking for.
Can you give our readers some background on your music?
Absolutely. We use a fusion of contemporary classical and pop music. With both traditional and electric strings, we perform as a quartet with the full accompaniment of drums and guitar. Our fan favorites are an eclectic mix of anything from Guns N’ Roses ‘Sweet Child of Mine’ to Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello’s ‘Señorita.’ Think of our style as Bach meets Bon Jovi. 🙂
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
Dallas has great tacos! I also love how the city is so supportive of the arts and entertainment scene.
Least favorite: traffic.
Pricing:
- New Holiday Album: A Very Merry Christmas with Dallas String Quartet: $12.99 (https://www.dallasstringquartet.com/store1)
- Other Albums & Merchandise: From $10.99 to $39.99 (https://www.dallasstringquartet.com/store1)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dallasstringquartet.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasstringquartet
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DallasStringQuartet/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/dsqelectric
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/user/DallasQuartet
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