Mads Tolling

Who is Mads Tolling?

Mads Tolling 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 and A Love Supreme - The Legacy of John Coltrane. Tolling also recorded on Stanley Clarke's The Toys of Men. 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.