Orchestral soloist

Jeremy Kittel is rapidly earning a reputation as one of the nation’s most creative young musicians. Classically trained, he grew up in the Irish, folk and jazz music scenes of Ann Arbor and Detroit. As a youth he traveled to Ireland and Scotland to further his studies of traditional music. In addition to performing with his own band and touring with the Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet, he performs as a soloist with orchestras.

The 24-year-old fiddler-violinist-composer has earned an impressive list of accolades including multiple U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championships, Alternative Styles Awards from the American String Teachers Association, and six Detroit Music Awards for Outstanding Folk Artist, Jazz Recording, and Jazz Composer. Kittel graduated at twenty from the University Of Michigan School Of Music and was awarded the Stanley Medal, their highest musical honor. He was the first recipient of the Daniel Pearl Memorial Violin, and he recorded as a soloist on the multiple Grammy Award-winning CD “Songs of Innocence and Experience” by William Bolcom. At twenty-three he finished his Master’s degree in Jazz Violin from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music.

Kittel has performed over a thousand concerts and festivals including the Kennedy Center, “A Prairie Home Companion”, the Ryder Cup Opening Ceremony, and Carnegie Hall. He has been guest artist with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, Mark O’Connor, and Darol Anger’s Republic of Strings.

Jeremy captivated the audience and brought them to their feet over and over. His virtuosic skill and sensitive playing were truly magnificent. Jeremy is a remarkable talent! Kendra Whitlock, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Mr. Kittel impressed both DSO musicians and the Detroit audience with his dynamic stage presence and original compositions and sounds that range from Irish and Scottish tunes to pure contemporary jazz. After hearing many talented young artists over the past 25 years with the DSO, I believe that Jeremy Kittel is one who deserves a serious look and listen by major orchestra pops venues.  Ann Strubler, First Violinist, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Jeremy has a range of skills on the violin that rival any professional alternative string player in the country, bar none. In addition, he is mature well beyond his years, and an absolute pleasure to work with. I would highly recommend anyone interested in the cutting edge of string music to keep an eye on this young man, he is truly something special.  David Balakrishnan, Turtle Island String Quartet

Jeremy Kittel’s musicality and extraordinary virtuosity brought a great deal to our performance. Under the direction of VSO Principal Pops Conductor, Jeff Tyzik, Jeremy’s natural talent and joy in music making contributed to a memorable evening. Joanne Harada, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra