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It is just such a democratic unit, a jazz unit, if it is done right. Each one has a voice. There is a central theme and you make a whole. It is such a sharing thing. It is such a community. Can you imagine if the whole world was run on these principles? It is a dangerous philosophy in a way. - Sathima Bea Benjamin

Thursday, 08 January 2009

A Love Supreme for Halloween: Tricks and Treats From the Atlantis Quartet at the Dakota

Written by Andrea Canter, Contributing Editor

Tuesday, 28 October 2008

Zacc Harris©Andrea Canter

Describing themselves as “a rock band playing original jazz,” the Atlantis Quartet has gained a significant following since their debut two years ago. In addition to prime time gigs at the Dakota, Rossi’s, Times, Uptown Bar and Bunkers, the band released an acclaimed recording, Again Too Soon, in 2007. While their recording and much of their live repertoire is focused on original compositions, it is one of the most lauded compositions of modern jazz that corrals their collective artistry this Friday night at the Dakota. The Atlantis Quartet will give a special performance of John Coltrane's classic album, A Love Supreme, in its entirety, on Halloween, Friday, October 31st as part of the Dakota’s Late Night series, beginning at 11:30 pm. Guitarist Zaac Harris, saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, bassist Chris Bates and drummer Pete Hennig offer the tricks and the treats. A preview can be heard on Thursday, October 30th, at the 318 Café.

Brandon Wozniak©Andrea Canter

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. Harris, Wozniak and Hennig, along with Park Evans, have been exploring the work of two other jazz icons with their Monk in Motian project, delving into Paul Motian’s interpretations of Thelonious Monk.

Chris Bates*copy;Andrea Canter

John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, like much of his later work, explored spirituality through music. This four-part suite represented the composer’s "spiritual awakening which was to lead [me] to a richer, fuller, more productive life." The album was Downbeat Magazine's album of the year in 1965 and one of Time Magazine's top 100 albums of all-time.

The project was the brainchild of guitarist Zacc Harris. “I used to play Halloween shows every year when I lived in Illinois, and we'd typically do some fun or outrageous covers in the spirit of the night. That idea taken to the extreme of covering an entire album, and a legendary one at that, struck me as a great opportunity and challenge for the Atlantis Quartet. Collectively studying and interpreting an album that has such a unique group sound is giving us an even deeper connection as a group.” That unique sound will be altered by the Atlantis Quartet, using guitar in place of piano. Notes bassist Chris Bates, "I believe that the energy of the music recorded on A Love Supreme was a gift to the world. A Love Supreme is a work of beauty and staggeringly honest communication between four musicians who understood that surrendering to the musical moment is a very powerful and moving experience that can be felt by all people."

Pete Hennig©Andrea Canter

Playing one of the great works of jazz might be a bit intimidating. Notes Harris, “If the ghost of John Coltrane is at the Dakota next Friday, I certainly hope he's happy with what we are doing with his beautiful music. We are having a lot of fun with this, but the music on this album is heavy and meant a great deal to Coltrane, so we are taking it very seriously and will humbly be offering our rendition.”

This will be serious music at the hands of four serious musicians, but still, it is Halloween! Says Harris, “I think that it's our obligation as performers on Halloween to dress up, and we welcome any audience members that would like to do the same!” One has to believe that John Coltrane would approve.

A Love Supreme will be presented over two sets at the Dakota Jazz Club, beginning at 11:30 pm on Friday, October 31st. Costumes welcome. Visit www.dakota.com or call 612-332-1010. A preview is scheduled at the 318 Café in Excelsior at 8 pm on October 30th; www.three-eighteen.com. More on the Atlantis Quartet at www.atlantisquartet.com

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