Years active 2003–present | Website madstolling.com/ Name Mads Tolling | |
Role Composer · madstolling.com Albums A Night in Tunisia, a Week in Detroit, Speed of Light, The Playmaker Similar People David Balakrishnan, Mark Summer, Darren Johnston, Rob Reich, Jeremy Kittel | ||
Music group Turtle Island Quartet |
Mads tolling the playmaker feat stanley clarke russell ferrante stefon harris
Mads Tolling (born July 5, 1980) is a Danish-American violinist, violist, and composer. Tolling won Grammy Awards 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 The 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.
Contents
- Mads tolling the playmaker feat stanley clarke russell ferrante stefon harris
- Papillon by carol alban and mads tolling at s f int flute festival 2012
- Mads Tolling Quartet
- The Playmaker
- Personal life
- Discography
- Grammy Awards
- Other Awards
- References
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 Margrethe, 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.

Papillon by carol alban and mads tolling at s f int flute festival 2012
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) was released on October 20, 2009.
Personal life
Tolling presently lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. When he's not performing or practicing, Tolling enjoys golfing, tennis, and hiking.