When you listen to the Turtle Island String Quartet, you're listening to the same mix of instruments that string quartets have used in classical music for more than two centuries--two violins, a viola ...

Turtle Island Quartet (TIQ) have been redefining the string quartet format since their inception in 1985. Led by violinist David Balakrishnan, TIQ classically interpret a broad range of genres ...

As a leader and co-leader, Blanchard has recorded more than 30 albums that often defied genres, yet were still critically acclaimed. For his latest Blue Note Records album, Breathless, Blanchard ...

After decades working with the Turtle Island Quartet, David Balakrishnan has no problem identifying the traits that have kept the ensemble moving forward for more than 30 years. Here's one: ...

The Turtle Island String Quartet is one of the leading American ensembles to incorporate jazz sounds into classical music. Violinist David Balakrishnan founded the group in 1985. He and violinist Evan ...

KEARNEY — Mark Summers understands what makes the string quartet such an important form of expression for composers. “We’re a string quartet with the same exact instrumentation as Hayden’s quartets,” ...

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While Jimi Hendrix has been an inspiration to many guitarists, regardless of their musical inclinations, few classical musicians have taken a deep look at his music. This changes on Have You Ever Been ...

When the Turtle Island Quartet plays, all the preconceived notions about string instruments are abolished and listeners are transported to an uncharted dimension. Two years after a jaw-dropping ...

The Turtle Island String Quartet won this year's Grammy Award for best classical crossover album. 'Turtle Island' comes from Native American mythology and is another name for the North American ...