East Van Strings Tickets

East Van Strings is a forward-thinking chamber jazz quartet rooted in Vancouver’s vibrant avant-garde scene. Featuring Gordon Grdina on guitar and oud, violin by Jesse Zubot, viola by Eyvind Kang, and cello by Peggy Lee, the group weaves intimate string writing with expansive exploratory improvisation. Their sound draws from Bartók and Berg while embracing Middle Eastern maqam influences, creating music that feels both intimate and boldly expansive.

Although the project has not announced a current touring schedule for 2025, East Van Strings remains a touchstone in contemporary experimental jazz, and Grdina continues to perform with other ensembles, keeping the spirit of the group alive in the broader scene.

Key figures include JUNO Award-winner Gordon Grdina (China Cloud, 2019), noted for his wide-ranging instrumental work. The group’s acclaimed album The Breathing of Statues (2009) on Songlines features the East Van Strings quartet and has been praised by critics for its ambitious fusion of Western classical forms with Middle Eastern-infused improvisation (Free Jazz Collective, The Chicago Reader). For fans of boundary-pushing jazz, East Van Strings offers a compelling entry into Vancouver’s innovative music landscape.

Follow Grdina and his projects for updates, performances, and new collaborations, and stay tuned for future announcements related to East Van Strings and related ensembles.