The Swedish-Norwegian quintet Atomic has held a position at the forefront of the Scandinavian and European contemporary jazz scene for nearly 17 years. The band has the ability to delve ever more deeply into its own expressive idiom, and is still inquisitive, vital and full of energy. Musically, Atomic covers a broad spectrum in both stylistic and historical terms, and the contrast between the intricate compositions and the energy and freedom of the music has only intensified through the years. Nobody can combine jazz, improvisation and ideas from classical contemporary music in as spontaneous and memorable a way as Atomic. Naturally their musical interplay is perfectly integrated after 17 years, but the fact that they have also managed to keep their joy of playing together intact is both inspiring and a great pleasure for everyone who has ears to hear with.All this time Håvard Wiik and Fredrik Ljungkvist have been responsible for all the compositions, but on the upcoming album Pet Variations (release date November 2, 2019) Atomic will play compositions by by Edgar Varese, Olivier Messiaen, Steve Lacy, Jimmy Giuffre, Jan Garbarek and Brian Wilson – to mention a few.

Jazz Magazine (FR) about their latest album Six Easy Pieces: “Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Scandinavian combo Atomic has been irradiating the ears that are eager for energising music.The five members of this Swedish-Norwegian supergroup all have strong and libertarian transatlantic references. In this eleventh album, this expansive quintet keeps building a challenging music which combines American Free jazz from the 60’s and European modern jazz efficiently. As the title of this recording indicates, ironically, the six pieces composed by saxophonist Fredrik Ljungkvist and pianist Havard Wiik are complex, but leave room for generous improvisations. This mind-blowing CD is full of surprises.”

Link to the new album:

This project is funded and supported in part by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department/Cultural Arts Division believing an investment in the Arts is an investment in Austin’s future. Visit Austin at NowPlayingAustin.com