David Balakrishnan — Violin and Baritone Violin
Mark Summer — Cello
Mads Tolling — Violin
Jeremy Kittel — Viola
Influences
Composers: John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Ludwig Van Beethoven, The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Anthony Carlos Jobim, Shakti, Vince Guaraldi, Yo-Yo Ma, Dmitri Shostokovich, Chick Corea, Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett, Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie
Recent and Upcoming Collaborations: Cyrus Chestnut, Paquito D'Rivera and Luna Negra Dance Company, Mike Marshall, Stefon Harris, Leo Kottke, Sergio and Odair Assad, Kenny Barron, and the Ying Quartet
Its name derived from creation mythology found in Native American Folklore, the Turtle Island Quartet, since its inception in 1985, has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings. Cellist nonpareil Yo-Yo Ma has proclaimed Turtle Island to be “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground — authentic and passionate — a reflection of some of the most creative music-making today.” Turtle Island fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles, and by devising a performance practice that honors both, the state of the art has inevitably been redefined.
The Quartet’s birth was the result of violinist David Balakrishnan’s brainstorming explorations and compositional vision while writing his master’s thesis at Antioch University West. The journey has taken Turtle Island through forays into folk, bluegrass, swing, be-bop, funk, R&B, rock, hip-hop, as well as music of Latin America and India . . . a repertoire consisting of hundreds of ingenious arrangements and originals. It has included over a dozen recordings on labels such as Windham Hill, Chandos, Koch and Telarc, soundtracks for major motion pictures, TV and radio credits such as the Today Show, All Things Considered, and Prairie Home Companion, feature articles in People and Newsweek magazines, and collaborations with famed artists such as clarinetist Paquito D’Rivera, The Manhattan Transfer, pianists Billy Taylor and Kenny Barron, the Ying Quartet and the Parsons Dance Company.
Another unique element of Turtle Island is their revival of venerable improvisational and compositional chamber traditions that have not been explored by string players for nearly 200 years. At the time of Haydn’s apocryphal creation of the string quartet form, musicians were more akin to today’s saxophonists and keyboard masters of the jazz and pop world, i.e., improvisers, composers, and arrangers. Each Turtle Island member is accomplished in these areas of expertise as well as having extensive conservatory training as instrumentalists.
One result of this dedication can be seen in Turtle Island’s phenomenal international appeal, particularly in Europe where chamber music remains a vital facet of life. What was once termed ‘alternative’ chamber music now firmly inhabits the mainstream. Turtle Island members refine their skills through unusual and endemic ‘re-compositions’ of works by the old masters, through the development of repertory by some of today’s cutting edge composers, through performances and recordings with major symphonic ensembles, and through a determined educational commitment. Turtle Island Quartet is the string quartet for the 21st century.
"DJ Monkey …soul-stirring, excitingly edgy music…just disturbing (read ‘mind-f**king’) enough to demand attention. There is a whole spice rack of auditory flavors here, served up like fractured poetry on a collection of intensely listenable Hallmark cards from Hell." Bill Margold, Cinema Seen, L.A. X..Press
Heeeey - it’s been a while :) - how are you, hope things are good, are they?... Listen, I have a favor to ask you, could I? Since my picture won at the monthly level & Round 1, I got nominated for the LongHair Hawtie of the Year. Round 2 (Finals!) ends in a few days and... - was hoping for those 6 votes from you ;)
So... this is where you would cast a vote
http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=188240006&albumId=1967536
Just look for this picture on the last row:
And these are the rules on how to 'do it' ...
Yeah, you do need to get accepted as a friend of www.MySpace.com/OfficialLongHairHawties before you can vote, but they’re nice girls (the hawtie folks), no harm whatsoever :)
Thank you so much already,
In appreciation,
- Armand
PS. a very 'evil' thought - maybe you can tell your friends to vote too? ;) Could you ask around?
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi, Thank’s for the add. It’s a privilege to have you among my friends. For me you are a genuinely unique string ensemble with such a broad musical scope and original interpretations of different musical styles. Chapeu! With greetings from Stockholm
Italy
