The Turtle Island String Quartet is an unconventional musical ensemble which plays jazz standards and original compositions that cross several styles, including blues, classical, jazz, and world music. Violinist David Balakrishnan got the idea for a jazz string quartet in 1985.
As a child, David was inspired by Jimi Hendrix and later discovered jazz through the music of the David Grisman Quartet. The group has performed with the likes of Billy Taylor, Manhattan Transfer, Modern Jazz Quartet, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and many others. Since its founding, TIQ has had many members come and go, but their uniqueness, intensity and musical integrity has always remained.
Moment’s Notice, a John Coltrane composition, was recorded live in Brussels featuring David Balakrishnan playing violin, Mark Summer on cello, Mateusz Smoczynski also on violin and Benjamin von Gutzeit on viola.
