Turtle Island Quartet
Friday, March 6, 2026 | 8pm
Jo Long Theatre
intellectually engaging, technically dazzling, emotionally rich
For over 40 years, the Turtle Island Quartet has been a pioneering force in chamber music, blending classical string quartet traditions with contemporary American styles. This two-time Grammy-winning ensemble is celebrated for its innovative performances and collaborations with renowned artists like Terence Blanchard, Stefon Harris, Leo Kottke, the Assad brothers, and The Manhattan Transfer. Their music has also featured on major platforms including the Today Show, All Things Considered, Prairie Home Companion, and Morning Edition. Legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma praises them as “a unified voice that truly breaks new ground—authentic and passionate.”
In this special performance, the Quartet honors the centennials of jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane, whose music has inspired them since their earliest days. Led by David Balakrishnan, they will present Grammy-winning interpretations of Davis and Coltrane’s masterpieces alongside original works that celebrate and explore the enduring legacies of these icons.
“It must have been like this when Beethoven was taking Vienna by storm – the exhilaration of seeing the future of classical music unfold before your eyes and ears.”
– St. Louis Post-Dispatch