The founder of the Emerson String Quartet, Phil Setzer has engaged Mads Tolling to perform his four movement violin concerto”Yggdrasil” at the prestigious music festival in Vermont on August 6, 2026.
Category: News
Mads to record new album with guitarist Peppino D’Agostino in June
After their debut gig at The Freight in Berkeley in April, Mads and Peppino will record a new album for Blue Coast Records, engineered by Cookie Marenco on June 9 and 10, 2026.
Strings Magazine Interview and Review of “Masters of Jazz Violin”
Thank you so much to Strings Magazine and Greg Cahill for his two-page Interview and review of my new album, Masters of Jazz Violin. The album was recorded with guitarist Jacob Fischer and bassist Matthias Petri, and it features music associated and written by some of my heroes growing up, including Svend Asmussen, Stephane Grappelli, and Jean-Luc Ponty.
Mads is releasing a new album – ‘Masters of Jazz Violin’
Two-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling releases Masters of Jazz Violin, a heartfelt tribute to the jazz violinists who shaped his musical journey. This album features compositions written or associated with jazz greats Stéphane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty, Svend Asmussen, Stuff Smith, and others. Joining Tolling on this recording are fellow world-class Danish musicians Jacob Fischer on guitar and Matthias Petri on bass, delivering a dynamic and expressive performance that honors jazz violin’s rich legacy.
- Essential listening for fans of jazz violin, including Stéphane Grappelli, Jean-Luc Ponty, and Svend Asmussen.
- A fresh take on jazz violin classics with stunning virtuosity and deep musical expression.
- Mads Tolling is a two-time Grammy Award-Winner and tours regularly with Bob Weir & Wolf Bros.
- CD RELEASE SHOWS on April 4 @ Throckmorton Theatre, Mill Valley, April 18 @ Hillside Club, Berkeley, May 22 @ Keys Jazz in San Francisco, and June 5 @ Sand Box, Monterey – all featuring renowned guitarist Bruce Forman.
Article about Mads Tolling in East Bay Express
Thanks so much to Lou Fancher for this lovely article in the East Bay Express. The gig at Piedmont Center for the Arts was truly special with John R Burr and Kenny Washington!
Violinist Tolling, special guests to perform Sunday at Piedmont arts center
Kenny Washington and Mads Tolling plays Kuumbwa (photo by Ron Jones)
Cool Yule album is gearing up again for 2024!!
Cool Yule was released in 2023 and is back with performances around California in 2024. Cool Yule has also made it to the first round of Grammy Voting, where it is in the category Best Instrumental album. My Favorite Things is in Best Jazz Performance and Best Arrangement categories.
Featured on the album are the Mads Men and the multitalented Danish vocalist Sonny Fredie Pedersen on the title track. Check it out HERE
Mads guesting with Melvin Seals & JGB
Mads performed two nights with Hammond-B3 legend, Melvin Seals & JGB at the Guild Theatre in Menlo Park on Sep 27 and 28, 2024. Check out Mads’ solo on Lay Down Sally on Youtube: https://youtu.be/UwL8z-WJ_fU
Magnificent finale at Radio City Music Hall with Bob Weir
Bobby Weir and the band was in great form as the month long tour ended at Radio City Music Hall in NYC with two concerts on April 2 & 3. On Saturday night bassist Ron Carter sat in along with vocalists Tyler Childers and Brittney Spencer.
Guitarist John Mayer was the surprise guest on Sunday night. Thank you to my Wolf Pack brothers and Wolf Bros for such a great time on the road!
Photo by Jay Blakesberg
Mads goes on the road with Bob Weir & Wolf Bros
A 13 date US tour has been announced with Bob Weir & Wolf Bros, feat. Wolf Pack in March, 2022. Mads has been part of developing the program with Weir, Don Was and Jay Lane and the seven others in the group. This includes Tolling arrangements of Sugar Magnolia, New Speedway Boogie and Brokedown Palace.
For more information about the tour, please go to: https://bobweir.net/ 
Welcome to my brand new website!!!
In May, 2020 my website told me that it had enough. After 10 fruit-full years of hundreds of concerts, tweaks, edits and mouse clicks, my old site was fatigued and could go no longer. I am now very happy to announce that I have a newly designed website – still at www.madstolling.com. Please go and check it out. I would be happy to get any feedback of what you would like to see – or if something is not working for you.
