Quotes

"Tolling has a real gift for blending an unaffected folksy sound with sparse jazz licks that are the perfect complement to the atmospheric ambiance that grace most of these tracks. 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

"The set concluded with bassist Stanley Clarke’s tribute to Coltrane, "Song to John," played in a complex but musically gripping arrangement by Tolling."
-LA Times

"……with Tolling a dominant voice, also reminiscent of Jean-Luc Ponty’s more finessed fusion….."
-All About Jazz

"……The beautiful viola sounds of Mads Tolling…… I can’t remember the last time I heard a viola being played so gorgeously."
-The West Australian

"A high point was Tolling's emulation of horn stylings from the era on "Resolution," mixing bursts of notes and drawn out higher tones, although his phrasing was more contemporary and glided smoother than Coltrane."
-All About Jazz

"Now, as a bandleader, he'll showcase not just his flying bow and creatively nimble improvisation but also his eclectic arrangements….."
-SF Bay Guardian

"Turtle Island shines in virtuosic fusion…… violist, Mads Tolling demonstrated a commanding ability to improvise in the swift angular style made famous by jazz violinist Stephane Grappelli."
-Birmingham News

"……Tolling's "Danish Desert," with a snappy New Age kind of swing, was a big hit……"
-Grand Rapids Press