Annex String Quartet

Annex String Quartet
The Annex String Quartet performing in the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre at the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto.
Background information
Also known as	The Annex Quartet
Origin	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Classical, World, Contemporary Classical
Occupation(s)	String quartet
Instruments	2 violins, 1 viola, 1 cello
Years active	2008–present
Website	www.annexquartet.com
Members	Stanislav Pronin Carolyn Blackwell Yunior Lopez Peter Cosbey
Past members	Melissa Wilmot Teddy Wiggins

The Annex String Quartet, also known as The Annex Quartet, is a string quartet founded by violist Yunior Lopez in 2008 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Named after The Annex neighborhood in down town Toronto, the quartet began performing regularly throughout Toronto's many bars, coffee shops, and non-classical venues like Aroma Espresso Bar and the St. Lawrence Market. In 2010, they made their American debut alongside the Kronos Quartet at Carnegie Hall, and have since appeared in over 100 performances, recordings, and broadcasts. To date, the groups primary focus has been bridging the gap between classical and world music, which has led them to become one of the most eclectic performing ensembles in North America. They have performed, recorded, and ventured into various musical styles, and continue to work with a diverse range of artists including classical pianist, Jan Lisiecki, Cuban jazz pianist, Hilario Duran, and Canadian jazz icon, Jane Bunnett. Following multiple recording collaborations with a diverse range of artists, The Annex Quartet released their official debut album, The Roaring Twenties, in June 2013. The quartets current work in progress is an all-Cuban album featuring famed Cuban Bolero singer, Anais Abreu . They are currently the ensemble-in-residence at Midtown Music School in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and The Stratford Summer Music Festival in Stratford, Canada.