The Shelly Kurland Strings is a classical music ensemble that has been active for over five decades. The ensemble was founded by Shelly Kurland, a renowned violinist and arranger, in the early 1960s. Kurland was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1936, and began playing the violin at a young age. He studied at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City and later moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he became a prominent figure in the city's music scene. Kurland's vision for the ensemble was to create a group of musicians who could perform a wide range of classical music, from Baroque to contemporary, with a focus on string instruments. He assembled a group of talented musicians, including violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists, who shared his passion for classical music. The ensemble quickly gained a reputation for its exceptional performances and became a sought-after group for recording sessions and live performances. The Shelly Kurland Strings has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, including Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, Johnny Cash, and Dolly Parton. One of the highlights of the ensemble's career was their performance on Elvis Presley's iconic album, "Elvis Presley: From Elvis in Memphis." The album, released in 1969, featured the Shelly Kurland Strings on several tracks, including "In the Ghetto" and "Suspicious Minds." The album was a critical and commercial success, and the Shelly Kurland Strings' contribution to the album was widely praised. The ensemble also worked on several other notable albums, including Bob Dylan's "Nashville Skyline" and Dolly Parton's "Jolene." Their work on these albums helped to establish the Shelly Kurland Strings as one of the most respected and in-demand classical music ensembles in the music industry. In addition to their work in the recording studio, the Shelly Kurland Strings also performed live concerts and toured extensively throughout the United States and Europe. They performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world, including Carnegie Hall in New York City and the Royal Albert Hall in London. The ensemble's performances were always well-received, and they received numerous awards and accolades throughout their career. In 1970, the Shelly Kurland Strings won a Grammy Award for Best Instrumental Arrangement for their work on Elvis Presley's "Suspicious Minds." They were also nominated for several other Grammy Awards throughout their career. Despite their success, the Shelly Kurland Strings remained committed to their mission of promoting classical music and supporting young musicians. They often worked with local schools and music programs to provide opportunities for young musicians to learn and perform classical music. Shelly Kurland passed away in 2013, but his legacy lives on through the ensemble that he founded. Today, the Shelly Kurland Strings continues to perform and record music, and they remain one of the most respected and influential classical music ensembles in the world.

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