Atlantis Quartet

Atlantis Quartet formed in 2006 and has emerged as one of the premier modern jazz groups in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The group consists of four of Minnesota's most exciting jazz artists who have come together to create and explore fresh and original sounds on the modern edges of the jazz idiom. Dwight Hobbes of Pulse of the Twin Cities credits Atlantis Quartet with “strong compositions and insanely serious chops” while the Dakota Jazz Club refers to the band as “One of the most exciting bands in town, this group tackles complex, catchy originals with ease”.

Atlantis Quartet formed in 2006 and has emerged as one of the premier modern jazz groups in the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The group consists of four of Minnesota's most exciting jazz artists who have come together to create and explore fresh and original sounds on the modern edges of the jazz idiom. Dwight Hobbes of Pulse of the Twin Cities credits Atlantis Quartet with “strong compositions and insanely serious chops” while the Dakota Jazz Club refers to the band as “One of the most exciting bands in town, this group tackles complex, catchy originals with ease”.

In its relatively short existence, the quartet has performed many of the area's top jazz venues, including the Dakota, Artists' Quarter, Cedar Culural Center, Clown Lounge, and more, and has even brought its lively jazz sound into rock clubs such as the Uptown Bar, 331 Club and Bunkers. Atlantis has also shared the stage with acclaimed artists like Dr. Lonnie Smith, Jonathan Kreisberg, and Imani Uzuri.

August 2007 marked the release of Atlantis Quartet's debut album, Again, Too Soon. The album is a collection of eight original compositions recorded last spring at Fur Seal Studio in Minneapolis, MN. In a review of the album from the spring 2008 issue of Jazz Improv Magazine, Clive Griffin says “What is abundantly clear is that each of the members of the Atlantis Quartet are highly skilled musicians who have invested themselves heavily to develop their individual approaches... Together, they sound genuinely inspired, enjoying the music-making they're doing together.” Griffin goes on to say, “The Atlantis Quartet is a versatile group of jazz musicians whose music evidences their understanding and appreciation of important jazz influences - influences that they have assimilated individual and group creativity, to reach this notable moment of expressions that is the album Again, Too Soon.”

In December 2009, the quartet put out its much anticipated follow up album, Animal Progress, featuring 12 new compositions as well as the new lineup of Chris Bates on bass and Brandon Wozniak switching from tenor to alto saxophone. The record has been met with rave reviews. Rick Mason of the Citypages calls the album “the full blossoming of a signature Atlantis sound that taps historic elements like swing, bop, and free jazz while referencing contemporary bits of funk, rock, and world music, then rolls it all into a cohesive bundle of kinetic energy with the visceral allure of intense fireworks and the intellectual challenge of multilayered complexity.”

Atlantis Quartet features saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, guitarist Zacc Harris, drummer Pete Hennig, and bassist Chris Bates.