Those who argue over the relevance of this album have missed not only its impact on Afro-beat and funk, but also just how often it is sampled in hip-hop. With any great record it has had the ability to move outside the box and create a sensation in places no one ever expected. After dusting it off and giving it a spin, Head Hunters still retains the fresh, eye opening energy it had when it was released.” – Trevor McLaren, All About Jazz

The Head Hunters

Describing themselves as “a rock band playing original jazz,” the Atlantis Quartet will hold their second annual Halloween party via the Dakota’s Late Night series Saturday night, October 31, beginning at 11:30 pm. Last year, the band celebrated John Coltrane’s “Love Supreme.” This year, guitarist Zacc Harris, saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, bassist Chris Bates and drummer Pete Hennig offer the tricks and treats of Herbie Hancock’s famed Head Hunters album. Notes leader Zacc, “This year, as we're following the funky grooves of Bobby Rush [on the Dakota stage from 8-11 pm], we decided to go funky ourselves with one of the grooviest albums ever recorded.”

The Head Hunters

Brandon Wozniak © Andrea Canter

Issued on Columbia in 1973, The Head Hunters propelled Herbie Hancock to forefront of the jazz/funk/fusion era. Noted Trevor McLaren in a reassessment of the monumental work for All About Jazz (2002), Hancock “pours the funk on hard and lets the groove roll, then lays out jazz-powered solos.” Following a series of experimental works for sextet, Hancock assembled a mostly new band (The Head Hunters), including Bennie Maupin on reeds, Paul Jackson on bass, Bill Summers on African percussion and even a beer bottle solo; and Harvey Mason on drums. Hancock himself plays Fender Rhondes, synthesizers and Clavinet. Four tunes make up the playlist – “Chameleon,” “Watermelon Man,” “Sly,” and “Vein Melter,” with all but “Watermelon Man” written specifically for The Head Hunters. The group went on to record several more albums, Thrust (1974), Man-Child (1975), Flood (recorded live in Japan, 1975), Secrets (1976) and Sunlight (1977), but it was their first self named release that, at the time of its reissue in 1992, was the top-selling jazz album of all time.

The Atlantis Quartet

Pete Hennig © Andrea Canter

Zacc Harris came to Minneapolis four years ago from Illinois, where he graduated from Southern Illinois University. Here he formed the Luminessence Trio (now Zacc Harris Trio), continuing weekly gigs at the Riverview Wine Bar. Zaac has also played with Tanner Taylor, Jay Epstein, Katie Gearty, Sophia Shorai and John Starkey, and plays with Tico Tico, Vital Organ, and leads Monk in Motian. In addition to performing, Zacc is dedicated to teaching, and has taught guitar for the past decade. Saxman BrandonWozniak 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,

Zacc Harris © Andera Canter

The Atlantis Quartet’s first Halloween project, a full performance of John Coltrane’s A Love Supreme, 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.” 

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!” 

Herbie Hancock’s The Head Hunters will be presented at 11:30 pm on Friday, October 31^st at the Dakota, 1010 Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Cover $5; costumes welcome. Visit www.dakota.com or call 612-332-1010. More on the Atlantis Quartet at www.atlantisquartet.com

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