Jazz Police - The Atlantis Quartet Celebrates Coltrane on September 23rd

Billing themselves as a “a rock band playing original jazz,” guitarist Zaac Harris, saxophonist Brand Wozniak , bassist Chris Bates and drummer Pete Hennig form The Atlantis Quartet, an increasingly popular band at Twin Cities venues. The quartet will celebrate the birthday of one of its heroes, John Coltrane, at the Artists Quarter on September 23rd. Included will be a preview of material on their upcoming second release.

The Atlantis Quartet has been making waves since its debut and weekly gig at Jitters in fall 2006, an ensemble described as having “strong compositions and insanely serious chops” (Dwight Hobbs, Pulse). In the past three years, the foursome has played throughout the metro, at the Dakota, Times, Artists Quarter and Nomad, as well as at clubs more known as rock venues, including the Uptown Bar and Bunkers. One of their most popular shows was a reconsideration of John Coltrane's A Love Supreme, debuting at the Dakota and "closing" at the Riverview.

Chris Bates © 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), and later Monk in Motian. Zacc 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 Zacc Harris, Dean Magraw, Bruce Henry, Katie Gearty and Sam Kuusisto, and is also a member of the 3rio.

Brandon Wozniak © Andrea Canter

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, Monk in Motian, the Zacc Harris Trio 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]

And to best appreciate the Atlantis Quartet, catch a live set honoring John Coltrane's birthday at the Artists Quarter on Wednesday, September 23rd!

The Artists Quarter is located at 408 St Peter Street in downtown St. Paul; www.artistsquarter.com. More information on the Atlantis Quartet is available at www.atlantisquartet.com.