Mads Tolling
Encyclopedia
Mads Tolling is a Danish-American violinist, violist and composer. Tolling won Grammy Award
s for "Best classical crossover album" as part of Turtle Island Quartet
's recordings 4+Four (2006) and A Love Supreme - The Legacy of John Coltrane (2008). Tolling also recorded on Stanley Clarke's Toys of Men (2007). He is currently first violinist with the Turtle Island Quartet, soloist with bassist Stanley Clarke’s band and bandleader of his solo project the Mads Tolling Quartet.
Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tolling relocated to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music
where he graduated Summa Cumme Laude in 2003. Tolling received Denmark's Sankt Annae's Award for Musical Excellence as well as grants from Queen Margaret, the Sonning Foundation and the Berklee Elvin Jones Award. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music, Tolling has toured worldwide with the Stanley Clarke band and Turtle Island Quartet. Tolling has also performed with Al Di Meola, Kenny Barron, Paquito d’Rivera and Leo Kottke.
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
s for "Best classical crossover album" as part of Turtle Island Quartet
Turtle Island Quartet
The Turtle Island Quartet is a San Francisco Bay Area based jazz string quartet formed in 1985 and still actively touring worldwide and recording...
's recordings 4+Four (2006) and A Love Supreme - The Legacy of John Coltrane (2008). Tolling also recorded on Stanley Clarke's Toys of Men (2007). He is currently first violinist with the Turtle Island Quartet, soloist with bassist Stanley Clarke’s band and bandleader of his solo project the Mads Tolling Quartet.
Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, Tolling relocated to the United States to study at Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music
Berklee College of Music, located in Boston, Massachusetts, is the largest independent college of contemporary music in the world. Known primarily as a school for jazz, rock and popular music, it also offers college-level courses in a wide range of contemporary and historic styles, including hip...
where he graduated Summa Cumme Laude in 2003. Tolling received Denmark's Sankt Annae's Award for Musical Excellence as well as grants from Queen Margaret, the Sonning Foundation and the Berklee Elvin Jones Award. Since graduating from Berklee College of Music, Tolling has toured worldwide with the Stanley Clarke band and Turtle Island Quartet. Tolling has also performed with Al Di Meola, Kenny Barron, Paquito d’Rivera and Leo Kottke.
From Mads Tolling Trio to Mads Tolling Quartet
In 2007, Mads Tolling formed the Mads Tolling Trio and immediately recorded Speed of Light (2008). Six of the 11 tracks are original compositions. The following year, Tolling added a drummer, became the Mads Tolling Quartet and has performed at: Yoshi's Oakland, Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, San Jose Jazz Flavors and Jazz, Kuumbwa Jazz, Throckmorton Theater, Moody's Bistro and Russian River Jazz Festival.The Playmaker
Mads Tolling's sophomore CD release The Playmaker features Stanley Clarke, Russell Ferrante and Stefon Harris. Seven of the 11 tracks are original compositions. Endorsed by both Yamaha Corporation of America and Connolley Music, Inc., Tolling views his instrument as part fiddle, part saxophone, part acoustic and electric violin. The Playmaker is a journey into jazz, fusion, funk, classical, Danish folk along with rock & roll arrangements of Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog” and Radiohead’s “Just.” The Playmaker (Madsman Records/City Hall) will be released on October 20, 2009.Grammy Awards
- Turtle Island Quartet: 4+Four (2006)
- Turtle Island Quartet: A Love Supreme - The Legacy of John Coltrane (2008)
Other awards and recognition
- Berklee Elvin Jones Award (2002)
- Sonning Award (2001)
- The Augustinus Foundation, Denmark (2000)
- Queen Margaret Award (2000)
Discography
- Ann Hampton Callaway – At Last (2009/Telarc)
- Mads Tolling Trio – Speed of Light (2008)
- Sekou Bunch – The Next Level (2008/Trippin N Rhythm)
- Stanley Clarke – Toys of Men (2007/Heads Up)
- Turtle Island Quartet – A Love Supreme – The Legacy of John Coltrane (2007/Telarc)
- Freddy Clarke – Wobbly World (2007/Wobbly World)
- Jessica Fichot – Le Chemin (2007/www.jessicasongs.com)
- Fernando Ortega – The Shadow of your Wings (2006/Curb Records)
- Turtle Island Quartet & Ying Quartet – 4+Four (2005/Telarc)
- Yotam Rosenbaum & Dave Samuels – Balance (2005/YRM)
- Teena Marie – La Dona (2004/Universal)