Turtle Island Quartet to honor jazz legends at The Carver

The Grammy-winning ensemble will perform a centennial tribute to Miles Davis and John Coltrane.

Mar. 3, 2026 at 5:55am

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The Grammy-winning Turtle Island Quartet will perform a special concert at The Carver Community Cultural Center in San Antonio on March 6, honoring the centennials of jazz icons Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Led by founder David Balakrishnan, the ensemble is known for blending classical string traditions with the soul and improvisation of contemporary American jazz.

Why it matters

The Turtle Island Quartet is widely regarded as a pioneer in the 'alternative strings' movement, having collaborated with renowned artists across genres. Their performance at the historic Carver venue, which has hosted jazz legends, promises a powerful tribute to two artists whose influence still resonates today.

The details

The Turtle Island Quartet will perform Grammy-winning interpretations of Davis and Coltrane's most celebrated works, along with original compositions inspired by their enduring influence. The ensemble is known for its 'multi-stylistic and multicultural' sound, as praised by NPR Music, and has appeared on national platforms such as 'The Today Show,' 'All Things Considered' and 'A Prairie Home Companion'.

  • The performance will take place on Friday, March 6, 2026 at 8 p.m.

The players

Turtle Island Quartet

A Grammy-winning string quartet known for blending classical traditions with contemporary American jazz.

David Balakrishnan

The founder and leader of the Turtle Island Quartet.

Miles Davis

A legendary jazz trumpeter and composer whose centennial is being celebrated.

John Coltrane

A renowned jazz saxophonist and composer whose centennial is also being celebrated.

The Carver Community Cultural Center

A historic venue in San Antonio that has hosted jazz legends and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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What they’re saying

“The Turtle Island Quartet is a unified voice that truly breaks new ground, authentic and passionate.”

— Yo-Yo Ma, Cellist

“The Turtle Island Quartet has a multi-stylistic and multicultural sound.”

— NPR Music, Music Critic

What’s next

Tickets for the Turtle Island Quartet's performance at The Carver on March 6, 2026 are available through Ticketmaster or at The Carver box office.

The takeaway

The Turtle Island Quartet's centennial tribute to jazz legends Miles Davis and John Coltrane at the historic Carver venue promises a powerful and innovative performance that celebrates the enduring influence of these iconic artists.