Massive Violins

Founded in 2010, the Massive Violins have performed concerts in venues across the UK and internationally, including a biannual concert at Cecil Sharp House,{{Cite web|url=https://sightssoundssenses.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/gig-review-massive-violins-at-cecil-sharp-house-17-december/|title=Gig review: Massive Violins at Cecil Sharp House, 17 December|last=fourleaf12|date=30 December 2014|website=Sights, Sounds & Senses|access-date=18 March 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.camdenreview.com/reviews/music/news-jazz-in-the-house-the-massive-violins-barbara-hannigan-and-emmanuel-despax|title=News: Jazz in the House, The Massive Violins, Barbara Hannigan and Emmanuel Despax {{!}} Camden Review|website=www.camdenreview.com|access-date=19 March 2017}} a residency at Hornsey Town Hall{{Cite web|url=http://www.hthartscentre.co.uk/the-massive-violins|title=Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre|website=Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre|access-date=18 March 2017}} and regular appearances at festivals including the Isle of Arts Festival,{{Cite news|url=https://onthewight.com/isle-of-arts-festival-bring-the-massive-violins-to-ventnor/|title=Isle of Arts Festival bring The Massive Violins to Ventnor – Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight|date=13 April 2013|work=Isle of Wight News from OnTheWight|access-date=18 March 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/more-acts-for-isle-of-arts-48232.aspx|title=More acts for Isle of Arts|website=iwcp.co.uk|access-date=19 March 2017}} Ventnor Fringe, Lawnfest and Frinton-on-Sea.{{Cite news|url=http://www.beachhutlife.com/event/frinton-festival-2/|title=Frinton Festival |work=Beach Hut Life|access-date=19 March 2017}} The ensemble was also crowned winners of North London's Got Talent in 2016.{{Cite web|url=http://www.times-series.co.uk/news/14260811.North_London_s_Got_Talent_champions___It_does_help_to_be_different_from_everyone_else_/|title=North London's Got Talent champions: "It does help to be different from everyone else"|website=Times Series|access-date=18 March 2017}}

The ensemble was created as a cello alternative to the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain, with whom they performed in September 2017.{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/article/own-an-original-handpainted-ukulele-by-a-top-british-artist-x0wql0pl0|title=Own an original handpainted ukulele by a top British artist|last=Mallalieu|first=Huon|date=16 September 2017|work=The Times|access-date=17 September 2017|issn=0140-0460}}

A typical concert comprises songs from a variety of musical genres: favourites with audiences include Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire where the cello is played side-ways like a guitar, a live performance of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, The Sound of Music medley featuring impersonations of Julie Andrews and Gretel, Michael Jackson's Thriller and a rendition of The Beatles' When I'm Sixty-Four.{{Cite web|url=https://sightssoundssenses.wordpress.com/2014/12/30/gig-review-massive-violins-at-cecil-sharp-house-17-december/|title=Gig review: Massive Violins at Cecil Sharp House, 17 December|last=fourleaf12|date=30 December 2014|website=Sights, Sounds & Senses|access-date=19 March 2017}}

The ensemble performs in cities around the UK, France and the Netherlands. As well as regular concert performances at Cecil Sharp House, Hornsey Town Hall Arts Centre and many UK festivals, the Massive Violins have provided entertainment at launch parties, including Channel 4's Random Acts, Bradley Cooper's The Elephant Man at the Haymarket, Christie's Auction House, at the Okura Hotel Amsterdam, at the 20th Century Theatre, supporting Fascinating Aida,{{Cite web|url=https://romillyschallenge.wordpress.com/2012/11/20/romillys-concert-fascinating-aida-and-massive-violins-3rd-december/|title=Romilly's Concert – Fascinating Aida and Massive Violins 3rd December|last=romillyschallenge|date=20 November 2012|website=Romillys Challenge|access-date=19 March 2017}} and at the London Olympic's pop-up cinema Films on Fridges.

The Massive Violins have a wide following of loyal concert-goers with numerous celebrity fans as regular audience members, including Neil Morrissey, Simon Amstell, Jemma Redgrave, Alison Steadman, James Norton, Marina and the Diamonds, Jennifer Saunders and Helena Bonham Carter. They have performed at private functions for Shirley Bassey,{{Cite news|url=http://www.tatler.com/bystander/events/2015/april/lotsofcharitycom-dinner#!/17318/image/1|title=Lotsofcharity.com dinner|work=Tatler|access-date=19 March 2017}} Pierce Brosnan, Joan Collins and Bradley Cooper.

The ensemble frequently perform for charity fundraisers; they are winners of North London's Got Talent 2016 in aid of North London Hospice, and perform at International Animal Rescue{{Cite web|url=http://joninbetween.blogspot.co.uk/2016/11/international-animal-rescue-winners-of.html|title=International Animal Rescue – winners of the JustGiving 'Charity of the Year' award|website=joninbetween.blogspot.co.uk|access-date=19 March 2017}} as well as 'Lots of Charity' events. In September 2017 they performed at the Jazz Cafe with the Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain as part of the Art on a Ukulele fundraising event.

The first album, entitled Bowing 24/7 was recorded in 2014 at Priory Road Studios and features 11 tracks of their most popular interpretations of songs.

The Christmas Album, recorded in 2015 at Priory Road Studios, features a mix of vocal and instrumental tracks.

• The Sound of Music Medley video on YouTube
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmEVaw2DIg4 All I want for Christmas] video on YouTube
• Album tracks available on Spotify or iTunes

The ensemble has had a varying line-up since its foundation, but since 2010 have performed as a septet or quintet of singing cellists, occasionally including one bespoke drum-cello. The members are renowned for wearing gold sequinned outfits in their performances.

• Ricky Chatto
• Grace Chatto (of Clean Bandit)
• Matthew Hammett Knott
• Camilla Farrant
• Guido Martin Brandis
• Jess Chandler
• Saul Berkowitz{{Cite web|url=http://www.massiveviolins.com/main.php|title=Massive Violins|website=massiveviolins.com|access-date=19 March 2017}}

{{Reflist}}

• [http://massiveviolins.com Official website]

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Category:British instrumental musical groups

Category:British classical cellists

Category:21st-century classical musicians

Category:Musical groups from London

Category:21st-century English musicians

Category:British comedy musical groups

Category:British cabaret performers

Category:Rock cellists

Category:English comedy musicians

Category:21st-century cellists