Vanessa Freebairn-Smith

Vanessa Freebairn-Smith, founding member of the Sonus Quartet, is a Los Angeles-based cellist working extensively in both the motion picture and recording industries.



Vanessa’s early training took place at the Colburn School of Performing Arts in Los Angeles, and she later received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Cello Performance from the University of California Los Angeles in 2003. While still attending high school, Vanessa’s career as a studio musician had already begun, recording for producers such as Patrick Leonard (Madonna, Elton John) and film composer Jerry Goldsmith.



Aside from her recording work with the Sonus Quartet, Vanessa enjoys a successful studio career in her own right, regularly recording for producers David Foster, Dangermouse, Jeff Lynn, Patrick Leonard, and film composer Clint Mansell, to name a few. She has also had close musical collaborations with such artists as Trent Reznor, Sarah McLachlan, Jeff Beck, and Diana Ross, among others, and has played on numerous scores for film and television both as a soloist, and orchestral player.



Vanessa has performed in concert with many artists, from Pavoritti to successful Indie bands like The Last Shadow Puppets. Touring extensively around the world, Vanessa recently appeared as guest soloist on Josh Groban’s Awake tour and was featured on the track Un Giorno Per Noi on his album of the same name. Along with her fellow Sonus Quartet members, Vanessa spent much of 2006 and 2007 touring with Grammy award winning band Gnarls Barkley. Vanessa has also served as principal cellist for the Dakah Hip-Hop Orchestra since 2000.



Regular appearances on national television include, ‘The Tonight Show’ with Jay Leno, ‘Late Night’ with David Letterman, and ‘The Ellen Degeneres Show.’ In addition, Vanessa has performed on many award shows such as the Grammys (with Prince, Herbie Hancock, Beyoncé, to name a few), the American Music Awards and the MTV Movie Awards, and has appeared in several music videos and one feature film.



On the composition front, Vanessa has written string arrangements for both solo cello and string quartet that can be heard on albums by Van Hunt, Martina Topley-Bird, and John Frusciante.



For a change of pace Vanessa records and tours as multi-instrumentalist (guitar, keys, vocals, cello) with UK artist Justin Clayton and Irish artist Gemma Hayes.