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The Detroit Illharmonic Symphony initially formed in 2001 to create music for the soundtracks of several animated television programs produced by Klasky Csupo. None of the programs was picked up by a network, but the musicians liked the unique blend of hip hop, classical, world beat, electronica and jazz they were creating so much that they decided to stay together and continue making music.
Since then, they have recorded four full length albums and provided scores for several film and television projects. The group's line up is constantly changing, but usually consists of cello, bass, violin, er hu, piano, trumpet, turntables, guitar, drums and percusion (along with assorted vocalists and intriguing political samples).
The large size of the ensemble makes touring a very difficult prospect. To remedy this, the Illharmonic creates animated films for their music which they distribute worldwide to theaters, allowing the group to "perform" in front of international crowds on a regular basis.
  
The Detroit Illharmonic Symphony is based, oddly enough, in Los Angeles rather than the city of their namesake. However, group members are from cities all over the world, a situation that contributes heavily to their extremely unique sound. Currently, the Illharmonic is completing their fifth album and creating new music for several films.


4 or 5 Dopes

Los Angeles, 1994. At a time when most hip hop and rap music was made with samples, Dez, Cool Walt, Bobby D and G Money formed a band to play a funky mix of hip hop and soul with live instruments.
This, the band's most notorious line up, played nearly every venue in Los Angeles before recording their only album (produced by Dwayne "Muffla" Simon of the LA Posse) in 1996.
These last two line ups recorded several unreleased tracks as well as performed major shows across California.
Over the course of their career, they performed with the Dazz Band, Fu Schnickens, Whoridas, Flex, Black Eyed Peas, Ozomatli and Maroon 5. By the end of 1998, the band broke up. It's remnants later became the Detroit Illharmonic Symphony.



"The Illharmonic boldly go where no one has gone before - from sweet poppy melodies to hardass breaks and politically charged commentary, its music Jim, but not as we know it - superb indie release... " Rootdown FM (http://www.rootdownfm.com)

Voted "Best of the Batch" July, 2006 by Music Industry News Network.

"Detroit Illharmonic Symphony is a dynamic blend of urban life, hip-hop, jazz and world music... 'Street Testimony' is an amazing, complex record."
Flash Magazine, July, 2003

"Moody and magnificent 3 minute hip-hop symphonies... including horns, strings, turntablism and all kindsa good stuff - somebody cut these guys a deal..."
Rootdown FM (http://www.rootdownfm.com)

"3rd album from Detroit's Illest sons and daughters - everything from strings, horns, tabla, classical choral thrown at fly hip-hop beats and coming up shining - marvel at the unhinged genius at work here and worship at the Ill Temple - we bow down..."
Rootdown FM(http://www.rootdownfm.com)

"Detroit Illharmonic Symphony is just that, a symphony, not only of sound but of influences and roots as well. The best description is a jazz-funk-hip hop fusion. This ten piece gives you enough feeling and soul to keep your head bobbing for a few weeks straight, with catchy beats and dance motivation. 'Lenox Avenue' is a very enjoyable album. It gives off a feel not unlike DJ Logic, DJ Spooky and Medeski, Martin and Wood, then throws in a little up tempo, upbeat hip hop to top off the mix. Worth checking out, this group has a lot of potential." FLASH Magazine

"Dark, city-hip-hop influenced pieces with about equal balance between acoustic instruments, electric instruments, and samples/scratches/beats/etc. Also some world music influences mixed in, and some political stuff…Wandering, dark strings and grooving bass, with harsh, echoing vocal samples… carnivalistic, ominously bumpin'."
KZSU FM (Stanford University)

"Quite lovely." CFUR radio (Vancouver)

"Love the Illharmonic!" CFRU radio (Toronto)