Atomic, one of the key bands of the 'new wave' of Scandinavian jazz, is giving a live performance at Twins Jazz in Washington D.C. on February 8.
Formed in 1999, Atomic brings together five important young musicians from the adventurous jazz underground of Sweden and Norway. The band grew out of the reaction against the so-called “mountain jazz,” or ECM school. As bassist Håker-Flaten says, “It’s not introverted music!”
Playing their own compositions that mix a distinctive approach to 'free' playing with grooves and modes, their interplay and ability to take their music in new and interesting directions has resulted in musical collaborations with a variety of leading contemporary jazz musicians including Chris Potter from the USA, Iain Ballamy from the UK, the Fin Jukka Perko and the Swede Per "Texas" Johansson.
While they make no secret of their love for several leading American jazz musicians such as Archie Shepp, Charles Mingus, George Russell and Keith Jarrett, the music of these masters is mixed with an equal love of European free jazz from the Sixties. Unlike many young American jazz musicians who appear stifled by the so-called 'jazz tradition', Atomic regards the American and European jazz traditions as an inspiration rather than a restriction, a jumping off point to realize their own direction and place in the music.
Atomic currently have three CD’s out on Bugge Wesseltoft’s Jazzland label: “Feet Music” (2001), Boom Boom (2003) and The Bikini Tapes(2005).
When: Thursday Feb. 8, 8 p.m.
Where: Twins Jazz, 1344 U St. N.W, Washington D.C.
Info: (202) 234-0072 or Twins Jazz
Admission: $15