Zacc Harris came to Minneapolis three years ago from Illinois, where he graduated from Southern Illinois University. Here he formed the Luminessence Trio (now Zacc Harris Trio), now with weekly gigs at the Riverview Wine Bar and Rossi’s. Zaac has also played with Tanner Taylor, Jay Epstein, Katie Gearty, Sophia Shorai and John Starkey, and plays with Tico Tico weekly at Solera. In addition to performing, Zacc is dedicated to teaching, and has taught guitar for the past decade. Saxman Brandon Wozniak previously lived and worked in New York City, toured with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, and earned his BA from Indiana University under the tutelage of David Baker. Since arriving in the Twin Cities in 2006, he has performed with local bands led by Bruce Henry, Katie Gearty and Sam Kuusisto, and is also a member of the 3rio. “New” bassist Chris Bates is familiar to Twin Cities’s audiences through his ongoing associations with the Kelly Rossum Quartet, How Birds Work, Dean Magraw’s Red Planet, Volcano Insurance, and many other cutting edge ensembles as well as the annual Minnesota Sur Seine Festival. Chris studied at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire and later with Anthony Cox, was an original member of the Motion Poets and was a 1999 McKnight Composer Fellow. Pete Hennig came to the Twin Cities to study at McNally Smith. After graduating he spent an additional three years studying with Dave King (Bad Plus, Happy Apple). His performance credits include Debbie Duncan, Katie Gearty, Sam Kuusisto, Tickle Fight, Patrick Harrison, Johnny Clueless, Park Evans and more.

Again, Too Soon, the debut recording of the Atlantis Quartet, is a set of eight original compositions recorded at Fur Seal Studio in Minneapolis. Despite the four individual minds at work, there is a surprising unity in their efforts, and for the most part the tracks are separated by subtle differences rather than dramatic changes in pace or harmonic devices. While they share some common ground with other bands that meld fusiony sonics with post bop ideas, the Atlantis Quartet is less concerned with creating danceable rhythms and more focused on exploring musical ideas. To appreciate this recording, the listener should be fully engaged. [Click here for a full review]

This return performance of the Atlantis Quartet, and the intriguing addition of bassist Chris Bates, offer a perfect introduction to some of the most serious jazz on the Dakota prime time schedule this month. Don’t bring your dancing shoes—just your ears. 

The Dakota is located at 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis; www.dakotacooks.com. The Atlantis Quartet will also appear on August 22nd at the newly relocated Acadia Café at 329 Cedar in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.atlantisquartet.com.