Simply Three
The exciting trio, known musically as ‘Simply Three, has been delighting audiences worldwide with their extraordinary performances since 2010. Comprised of Glen McDaniel, Nick Villalobos, and Zack Clark, Simply Three is a bass/cello/violin trio that performs chamber music covers of popular music. Per Sphinx Music, Clark and Villalobos are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Villalobos is a former member of the Orchestra at Temple Square.
Nicholas Villalobos, who plays bass, and Zack Clark, who plays the cello, were childhood friends and have always wanted to form an ensemble together. The group was formed in 2010 when Clark and Villalobos got together with violinist Olivia Lemmelin. All three graduated from Arizona State University with a Bachelor Degree in Music Performance. The trio can be seen together on their self-titled album, Simply Three. They also recorded the soundtracks to the films Brahmin Bulls and Within.
Alex Weill replaced Lemmelin on violin in 2013. She appears on the cover of Demons and Counting Stars, among others. While in this lineup, Simply Three did a TEDx talk at La Sierra University. In 2014, Glen McDaniel replaced Weill as the violinist.
Per the biography on their official website, Simply Three is acclaimed as “having what it takes” (Boston Philharmonic) and “highly imaginative and well played” (Maine Today). The biography goes on to say:
Simply Three continues to receive praise for their ability to impress listeners with a multitude of genres that span from artists and composers such as Adele, Gershwin, Coldplay, Twenty One Pilots, Ed Sheeran, and Michael Jackson. By reshaping convention through this style of genre-hopping, the trio continues to seek the true essence of classical crossover with original works as well as innovative arrangements that showcase their technical virtuosity and heartfelt musicality.
Sonicbids.com declares, “With old-school training but a new school sound, Simply Three is re-shaping convention with its original works and innovative arrangements that blend classic style with popular songs of today.” There seems to be no end in sight for their online popularity as they continue to create a renewed excitement for instrumental music. Simply Three’s music videos have captured the hearts and attention of millions of YouTube viewers around the world. As of mid-July 2017, their YouTube channel has garnered over 594,000 subscribers and their videos have been viewed more than 73 million times. Furthermore, their works have been recognized by major publications such as The Huffington Post, Rolling Stone, and RyanSeacrest.com, as well as, mainstream artists themselves.
William Goodman, senior editor of The Huffington Post, described Simply Three’s rendition of “The Christmas Song” as “the only ‘Christmas Song’ you’ll ever need to hear,” and their version of “Demons” by Imagine Dragons is considered “the most beautiful version yet.” Chart-topping rockers OneRepublic praised Simply Thre’s version of their hit single “Counting Stars,” stating they “LOVE this ‘Counting Stars’ cover! All strings!!” And, GRAMMY®-nominated R&B sensation, Janelle Monáe, proclaimed the trio’s colorful mash-up video of her hit singles “Cold War” and “Tightrope” to be an “honor” and made it a highlighted feature on her personal website.
Since the release of their debut EP, Two Worlds Collide, Simply Three has had the distinct honor and pleasure of collaborating with some of the world’s most creative musicians, including artists such as guitarist Kellindo Parker (Janelle Monáe), Alyson Stoner, and beatboxer Jeff Smith (M-Pact).
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