Mads Tolling Quartet
ads Tolling Quartet was founded by violinist Mads Tolling in 2007, his first major solo project. The Mads Tolling Quartet consists of:
Mads Tolling – Violin
Mike Abraham – Guitar
George Ban-Weiss – Acoustic/Electric Bass
Eric Garland – Drums
Mads Tolling, Mike Abraham, George Ban-Weiss and Eric Garland came together through the eclectic San Francisco jazz scene. The distinctive Quartet integrates the violin into a traditional jazz combo. All four instruments play unconventional roles to make the music come to life. Violin may act as drum, guitar may take bass lines and bass may carry the melody. There are some moments of pure spontaneity, but underlying the concept of MTQ are thoughtful compositions and arrangements. All four players have re-thought their instruments in a fresh way, relying on their instincts to let the music speak for itself.
MTQ draws inspiration from jazz to world music to rock & roll, and from such artists as Herbie Hancock, Ravi Shankar and Radiohead. Most of the music is composed and arranged by bandleader, Mads Tolling.
Tolling, a Grammy-Award winning performer & arranger, has a distinct melodic and lyrical “groove” to his writing. MTQ enjoys playing wellknown pieces such as Thelonious Monk’s “Blue Monk”, Led Zeppelin’s “Black Dog”, giving them a new twist, while staying true to the spirit of the original versions.
In March of 2008 Mads Tolling Trio released its first album entitled, “Speed of Light”. The album features ten tunes of originals and arrangements, and in addition a solo violin version of Miles Davis’ “Blue in Green”. Soon after the release the trio expanded to its current configuration – Mads Tolling
Quartet. The Quartet has performed at numerous venues around the country, including Yoshi’s Oakland & San Francisco, Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco, SF Jazz Festival, Summerlin Library in Las Vegas & Blues Alley in Washington DC.
In the summer of 2009 MTQ went in the studio to record “The Playmaker,” which features special guests bass legend Stanley Clarke, Yellowjackets founder Russell Ferrante & vibist Stefon Harris. The album was released worldwide in the fall of ‘09, which marks an exciting time for MTQ with tours nationally & internationally going forward to ‘10-‘11. On December of 2009 Mads Tolling and “The Playmaker” were featured on NPR’s Morning Edition. In June, 2010 MTQ performed at the celebration for the Danish Embassy’s 50 year anniversary. In attendance were Royal Highnesses, Prince Frederik & Princess Mary of Denmark and members of congress, including majority leader Steny Hoyer.
“The album [The Playmaker] is marked with virtuosic moments of sublime, genre-busting string work by Tolling….”
-San Francisco Cronicle
“With Tolling’s honed technique, vigorous attack and engaging brand of swing…”
-Washington Post
“…Mads Tolling may not be 30 yet, but on “The Playmaker” he exhibits a restraint that would’ve been at home in Corea’s original Return to Forever”
-Downbeat Magazine
“Overall, a wondrously balanced and stylish outing that sustains repeated listens. Tolling and his bandmates provide the requisite doses of improvisation within a set of hugely appealing and prismatic song-forms.”
-JazzReview.com
“….Tolling and those who surround him give the listener a valuable commodity, and that’s smart, innovative jazz.”
-Toledo Blade
“Mads Tolling Quartet Fires Up Oakland Venue Yoshi’s with Furious Sound.”……… “Completely engrossed in their complex rhythmic relationships, the four seemed wholly invested in the idea that their performance went deeper than simply entertainment but entered the realm of art-something challenging, for both audience and band.”
-Daily Californian
“While Tolling is skilled at evoking a beautiful melody, he’s equally adept at filling out the sound with powerful double-stops and intricate harmonics…”
-Strings Magazine
“Virtuosity may be a given on “The Playmaker,” but what’s most impressive is the sound of Tolling’s quartet, which drives the majority of the record and, based on the results, must be thrilling live.”
-John Kelman, All About Jazz
“Overall, a wondrously balanced and stylish outing that sustains repeated listens. Tolling and his bandmates provide the requisite doses of improvisation within a set of hugely appealing and prismatic song-forms.”
-Glenn Estarita, JazzReview.com
On occasion MTQ likes to play trio without drums making it MADS TOLLING TRIO. To check out the trio option please get the “Speed of Light” album or listen to the samples of music that plays when you visit this site.
Individual Bios
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Mads Tolling | Mike Abraham | George Ban-Weiss | Eric Garland |
CD Releases
The Playmaker
You can download “The Playmaker” in the Store and on iTunes. You can also purchase “Speed Of Light” on Amazon, and at many retailers.
Speed of Light
You can download “Speed Of Light” in the Store and on iTunes. You can also purchase “Speed Of Light” on CDbaby and Amazon.
Photos by Petr Jerabek, Stuart Brinin and Anne Marie Schuler
