Turtle Island Quartet: Island Prayers

Since its inception in 1985, the Turtle Island Quartet has been a singular force in the creation of bold, new trends in chamber music for strings, as their signature style has fused jazz, American roots & new, innovative string techniques. In the past three years, the group has transitioned from an ensemble that primarily features a variety of arranged works to one that commissions and creates original music. Island Prayers is an ambitious, multi-composer extravaganza co-commissioned by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Meany Performing Arts Center, The Music Hall (Portsmouth NH), Savannah Music Hall & Emory University. The project features New York Premieres of works written by the quartet’s founder Balakrishnan; six-time GRAMMY Award-winner and double Oscar Award-nominee Terence Blanchard; MacArthur Genius fellow, singer and banjo player Rhiannon Giddens; and New Music USA composer-in-residence and Joyce Award winner Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. The evening is part of See Me As I Am, Lincoln Center’s year-long celebration of Terence Blanchard.