The String Revolution was formed in 2016. With contributions from three virtuoso guitarists, this Grammy®-winning trio is made up of former Randy Rhoads student Janet Robin, Austrian nylon-string guitarist Markus Illko, and Cuban guitarist Rober Luis. Today, they are launching their newest single, a reinvention of show tune classic "America (from West Side Story)."
The String Revolution have already revitalized classics like "Billie Jean" and "Folsom Prison Blues" with their distinctive ensemble, winning a Grammy® in 2023 for the latter with Best Arrangement, Instrumental or A Cappella. Now they have a reputation for re-imagining iconic pop songs, with a track record of breathing new life into classics like “Rocketman” and “Englishman in New York.” Their signature sound combines elements of classical, rock, jazz, and world music, with a proven talent for repositioning vocal melody as a counterpoint of acoustic guitar. The result is a bold journey through the heart of a classic, while providing ample surprises in terms of instrumentation and arrangement that serve as a tantalizing element of discovery. To listen to a classic through the lens of an arrangement by The String Revolution is to be pleasantly surprised by the familiar while always finding something new: a phrase, an idiom, a technical embellishment, or in the case of "America (from West Side Story)," an arrangement for Marching Band. The quality of musicianship is extremely high, the performance is always spectacular, and we are able to capture that dynamic improvisational energy that can only grow organically from this kind of roots-driven foundation.
"America," from West Side Story, features the unmistakeable talents of 5x Grammy® nominated sax player Lakecia Benjamin, Grammy® nominated Luis Conte on percussion, and Byron House on upright bass. Deftly moving from a slow, ballad-style cadence to an energetic mid-tempo hemiola, and back again, it is the effortless musicality of Benjamin's performance that supports the transitions, while the interplay between guitarists offers a layer of groove-based complexity that does not disappoint. Often enough, we have the guitar performances split across the stereo image, which helps to create a sense of intimacy within the mix. Overall, this impeccable production offers a brand new oeuvre built from the bones of the working class original, while skipping over the lyrical tropes of the Broadway version. This one chooses to simply celebrate the rhythmic playground of the triplet cadence, without miring itself in the details of a specific conflict: the Jets and Sharks are left to their own discussions, while we are able to enjoy the moment without going too deep on the pros and cons of living with American consumerism, or the otherwise-inevitable comparison between Havana and Miami.
At its core, this version adds rich musical textures and dynamic energy to an American classic, creating a deeply universal conversation around the shared collective experience of having to constantly adjust to the rhythms of modern life.
You'll be forgiven for coming away with a mysterious respect for the versatility of the saxophone as an instrument, and the backbone of personal, percussive mojo that is the acoustic guitar. The creative bond that these three virtuosic guitarists have built together is nothing short of remarkable.
The Origin Story
The String Revolution was originally inspired by member Janet Robin’s former experience performing in Lindsey Buckingham’s solo band, where Buckingham created what he called a “guitar orchestra.” Moved by the idea of the guitar serving as an entire ensemble—covering rhythm, melody, bass lines, and even percussive elements—Robin set out to form an instrumental guitar group that could redefine the possibilities of the instrument through innovative arrangements. In an unlikely beginning, Robin posted a Craigslist ad in Los Angeles seeking players she had never met or worked with before. The first to respond was Markus Illko, a classically trained guitarist and composer from Vienna, Austria, whose nylon-string artistry immediately added a new tonal color to the project. Originally formed as a quartet, the group later evolved into a trio when Robin and Illko decided to make it a trio - searching again for the right musical partner. They found their match in Rober Luis, a Cuban guitarist with a stellar background in both live performance and studio work, skilled in a wide range of styles. Together, the trio brings a true melting pot of influences—rock, classical, bluegrass, jazz, world, and beyond—into a singular, genre-defying sound. This diversity of backgrounds and shared vision is the foundation of The String Revolution’s unique approach to guitar music.
The String Revolution has established themselves as one of the most exciting and innovative guitar ensembles in the world today.
They are represented by Michael Kelly at TKO/Kirby Agency.
America (from West Side Story) was produced by John Carter Cash and Steve Schnur, engineered by Trey Call and Rafa Sardina, and mastered by Emerson Mancini.
