The Turtle Island String Quartet is a jazz musical ensemble formed in 1985 and still active as of 2004, comprised of the normal pieces of a string quartet. The quartet was the first string ensemble to make extensive use of improvisation while playing live and recording, thus giving them respect on the jazz scene. They are famous for jazz renditions of famous classical music pieces, as shown on the humerously titled "Bach's Lunch" on The Hamburg Concert. They often perform more traditional jazz pieces, such as "Blue rondo a la Turk" by Dave Brubeck on Art of the Groove. The quartet has even dabbled in rock and roll pieces, such as Jimi Hendrix's "Gypsy Eyes" on Who Do We Think We Are?. They also have a vast catalog of their own compositions. In addition to playing as a quartet, they have collaborated with other quartets and several major orchestras.

Their name is taken from Native American mythology, where "Turtle Island" is the name for the North American continent.

Quartet Members

As of June 2004

• David Balakrishnan – violin & baritone violin
• Evan Price – violin
• Mads Tolling – viola
• Mark Summer – cello

Discography

• Turtle Island String Quartet – 1988 Windham Hill
• Metropolis – 1989 Windham Hill
• Skylife – 1990 Windham Hill
• A Shock to the System – 1990 Windham Hill
• On the Town – 1991 Windham Hill
• Spider Dreams – 1992 Windham Hill
• Who Do We Think We Are? – 1994 Windham Hill
• By the Fireside – 1995 Windham Hill
• The Hamburg Concert – 1997 CCn'C Records
• Art of the Groove – 2000 Koch
• Danzon – 2002 Koch
• A Night in Tunisia, A Week in Detroit – 2002 Chandos
• 4 + Four – 2005 Telarc, with the Ying Quartet

External link

Turtle Island String Quartet homepage