The West Village Quartet is an African-American String Quartet, performing works from the classical repertoire. The Quartet, which derives its' name as a result of frequent performances in the West Village, was founded in 1987 by David Burnett-Caines, who is the second violinist and manager of the group.

 

Since it's beginning, the quartet has kept a busy schedule of concerts, recitals and other public performances. The quartet has made noteworthy appearances on Entertainment Tonight, 20/20, Queens Access Public Television and PBS's Children's Express. Articles about the quartet have appeared in The North County News, The Croton Gazette, Reader's Digest, The Amsterdam News, The Daily News and The New York Times. The West Village Quartet has performed for Philip Morris, New York Telephone, The Essence Awards, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ford Foundation, The National Association of Black Accountants, Former Mayors of New York City, Ed Koch and David Dinkins at Gracie Mansion. They have also performed at a number of Malls, including Macy's, The Manhattan Mall, The Stamford Mall and The Short Hills Mall in New Jersey.

 

The West Village Quartet has made its' debut in The West Indies on the Islands of Antiqua & St. kitts, in Tallahassee (Florida), Covington (Georgia), and in San Francisco. The San Francisco Chronicle said 'The West Village Quartet played with vigorous musicality.....' The quartet has also performed in various music festivals held in Yachats (Oregon), The Beethoven Festival held in Ossining (Long Island) and the Blacks Arts Music Festival held in Atlanta.

 

The ensemble has received support from such celebrities as Phylicia Rashad (The Cosby Show), Sue Simmons (Channel 4 News), Peter Sweetser (Lebenthal & Co., Inc.), Charles S. Dutton (ROC), Meshach Taylor (Designing Women) and Ossie Davis & Ruby Dee, and Madge Sinclair (Trapper John, MD). They have also performed for Paul Newman, Patti LaBelle, Donnie McKlurkin, Smokey Robinson, Luther Van Dross, Maxwell and D'Angelo.