Atlantis Quartet: Live at Berlin

Since arriving on the scene in 2006, the Minneapolis-based Atlantis Quartet has established itself as a vital voice in modern jazz. With five albums already under their belt, the group continues to honor tradition while exploring new sonic territory. Live at Berlin captures their remarkable group chemistry during an engagement at the city's newest jazz venue, Berlin.

Atlantis Quartet features four of Minnesota's most exciting jazz musicians: saxophonist Brandon Wozniak, guitarist Zacc Harris, bassist Chris Bates and drummer Pete Hennig. The band initially took shape in a weekly composing workshop that encouraged creativity and risk-taking, allowing them to develop a close-knit rapport that remains central to their sound. Nearly 20 years into their partnership, Live at Berlin transports the quartet from the controlled environment of the studio to the spontaneity of the stage, where they blur the line between composition and improvisation, producing some of their most immediate and daring music to date.

The set's five new compositions, all written by Harris, highlight the group's collective approach to improvisation. Their deep connection allows each player to respond intuitively to the others. Rather than relying on traditional conventions like trading fours, the band engages in continuous dialogue, where ideas evolve organically and structure becomes fluid.

That interaction is evident from the opening track, "Evasive Maneuvers," which fuses rock-driven energy with shifting rhythmic layers and melodic focus. Its jagged guitar lines and in-the-pocket drumming create a sense of controlled turbulence. "Bucket List" follows with similar urgency, its propulsive 11/8 meter showcasing the quartet's ability to make rhythmic complexity feel natural and alive.

The band's internal communication remains its most striking feature. Bates and Hennig form a rhythm section that moves as one organism, while Harris and Wozniak explore the liminal space between form and freedom. Even in the most open passages, the music never loses its sense of direction.

The set culminates with "Rush Hour," a kinetic closer that channels the spirit of Eddie Harris's "Freedom Jazz Dance." It is an ideal finale for a band that continues to evolve through two decades of shared exploration.

Live at Berlin is compelling in its sense of balance. It is adventurous but cohesive, spontaneous while still grounded. Rather than chasing trends or adhering to predictable jazz tropes, Atlantis Quartet crafts a sound built on trust, communication, and risk. The live recording captures the ensemble at full stretch, offering a vivid snapshot of four musicians who know each other's instincts so well they can throw away the map and still reach their destination.

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