Atomic/School Days

These two fabulous jazz groups featuring Scandinavian and American players first collaborated at the Oslo Jazz Festival back in 2003. Sharing a musical likeness and the same rhythm section (Ingebrigt Håker Flaten bass and Paal Nilssen-Love drums), the group has since performed in Molde and Chicago. The resulting music was extraordinary with all members contributing their own compositions. OKKA Disk recorded the session. Formed in 1999, Atomic combines the aforementioned powerful cutting-edge Oslo rhythm section with Norway’s Håvard Wiik piano and Sweden’s Magnus Broo trumpet and Fredrik Ljungkvist sax. An incendiary ensemble, Atomic plays original music that mixes grooves and modes with a distinctive approach to free playing. The band has released four outstanding CDs on the Jazzland label. School Days was formed by Chicago reeds player Ken Vandermark in 2000 with Swedish vibist Kjell Nordeson, American trombonist Jeb Bishop, and you know who. The band derives much of its inspiration from ’60s bands led by Ornette Coleman, Cecil Taylor, and Archie Shepp. The work of Misha Mengelberg, Evan Parker, and Anthony Braxton have also had a significant influence. The music is compos... more...