Simply Three

The young trio of Glen McDaniel, Zack Clark, and Nicholas Villalobos, together known as Simply Three, has garnered stirring success with their unique transformation of string music. With old school training but a new school sound, Simply Three is re-shaping convention with its original works and innovative arrangements that blend classical style with popular songs of today. Since its inception in 2010, the group has been praised as “having what it takes” (Boston Philharmonic) for its ability to impress audiences with a multitude of genres, being equally at home with performing works by composers such as Puccini and Gershwin to artists like Adele, Coldplay, and Michael Jackson. Simply Three continues to capture the true essence of the classical crossover field by combing their technical virtuosity and captivating musicality with an openness to genre hopping.

With an ever-growing online popularity, they are creating a renewed excitement for instrumental music through inventive music videos that have caught the attention of millions of YouTubers across the globe as well as features and highlights from such renowned publications as The Huffington Post and Rolling Stone. Their rendition of “The Christmas Song” has been described by William Goodman, senior editor of The Huffington Post, as “the only ‘Christmas Song’ you’ll ever need to hear,” and their take on Imagine Dragons’ “Demons” has been hailed as “the most beautiful version yet.” Simply Three’s masterful arrangements continue to find high esteem, most recently receiving personal admiration from artists they have covered. Their version of OneRepublic’s “Counting Stars” was met with acclamation from the band itself, stating, “LOVE this ‘Counting Stars’ cover! All strings!!” while R&B sensation Janelle Monáe made the group’s colorful mash-up video of her hit singles “Cold War” and “Tightrope” a personal feature on her webpage, proclaiming the project “an honor.”

Since the release of their debut EP, Two Worlds Collide, Simply Three has collaborated with some of the world’s most creative musicians, including artists such as guitarist Kellindo Parker (Janelle Monáe) and beatboxer Jeff Smith (M-Pact). Their approach to innovation extends beyond the musical world, and with a unique pairing with EPIK Dance Company, Simply Three continues to look beyond the scope of the possible in order to create a new, fresh genesis for the arts.