Mads Tolling Blends Folk, Bebop, and Pop for a Cool Yule

Written By Steven Roby

Violinist Mads Tolling brings a Nordic-tinged chamber jazz spin to holiday music with his Cool Yule program in the Joe Henderson Lab. A former member of the two-time GRAMMY-winning Turtle Island Quartet and a longtime collaborator with Stanley Clarke, Tolling blends bebop lines, folk color, and pop melodicism with ease.

For these sets he and his group reimagine seasonal standards and lesser-known winter tunes, balancing virtuosity with warmth and humor. The Lab's close quarters foster detailed, conversational interplay and a relaxed, story-filled approach to the repertoire.

TICKET INFO

Performance dates, showtimes, and tickets: December 13, 2025, 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., and December 14, 2025, 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Joe Henderson Lab, SFJAZZ Center – tickets at SFJAZZ.org: https://www.sfjazz.org/tickets/productions/25-26/mads-tolling-cool-yule/

Steven Roby

Steve Roby is a seasoned radio personality and best-selling author. Roby’s concert photos, articles, and reviews have appeared in various publications, including All About Jazz, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and Guitar World. He also hosts the podcast Backstage Bay Area.

https://www.backstagebayarea.com
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