A Platform for Ethnically and Culturally Inspired Music
ABOUT
Often reminiscent of compositions by Kronos Quartet or Le Trio Joubran, Riptide offers a hypnotic, truly international experience." - Jazz Journal U.K.
"Atlas Maior's alloy of Arabic melodies, jazz harmonies, and rhythmic eclecticism beats the noise of other so-called world fusion acts." - Austin Chronicle
"If surf rock had existed on Cyprus in the 1920s, it might sound like Atlas Maior's song 'Iddaa!!', with the sax sailing over tight, catchy, minor-key bass riffage." - New York Music Daily
Atlas Maior creates original music that combines elements of Progressive Jazz, Middle Eastern, Latin, and Indian music traditions. Band members Joshua Thomson (alto saxophone, flutes) and Josh Peters (oud, lavta) create a unique sound that balances intimate moments of sincerity with powerful melodies and incendiary rhythmic passages. The group writes original melodies exploring maqamat (the Middle Eastern modal system) and harmonic progressions found in American jazz. Atlas Maior composes with a variety of rhythms and instrumentation, including Indian tablas, kanjira, and Chinese hulusi.
As an ensemble, Atlas Maior has released five studio albums, most recently RIPTIDE, voted a 2019 Top 100 release by The Austin Chronicle. During 2020-21, the group released four singles which featured Coke Studios artist Ali Pervez Mehdi (Nazuk, Ya Ali, and two studio remixes). The group has toured nationally and internationally while garnering positive reviews and media placement from Jazziz Magazine, NPR's PRI The World, New York Daily Music, Jazz Journal, Afropop Worldwide, Songlines, and in 2019 were named City of Austin Cultural Ambassadors.
"Atlas Maior's alloy of Arabic melodies, jazz harmonies, and rhythmic eclecticism beats the noise of other so-called world fusion acts." - Austin Chronicle
"If surf rock had existed on Cyprus in the 1920s, it might sound like Atlas Maior's song 'Iddaa!!', with the sax sailing over tight, catchy, minor-key bass riffage." - New York Music Daily
Atlas Maior creates original music that combines elements of Progressive Jazz, Middle Eastern, Latin, and Indian music traditions. Band members Joshua Thomson (alto saxophone, flutes) and Josh Peters (oud, lavta) create a unique sound that balances intimate moments of sincerity with powerful melodies and incendiary rhythmic passages. The group writes original melodies exploring maqamat (the Middle Eastern modal system) and harmonic progressions found in American jazz. Atlas Maior composes with a variety of rhythms and instrumentation, including Indian tablas, kanjira, and Chinese hulusi.
As an ensemble, Atlas Maior has released five studio albums, most recently RIPTIDE, voted a 2019 Top 100 release by The Austin Chronicle. During 2020-21, the group released four singles which featured Coke Studios artist Ali Pervez Mehdi (Nazuk, Ya Ali, and two studio remixes). The group has toured nationally and internationally while garnering positive reviews and media placement from Jazziz Magazine, NPR's PRI The World, New York Daily Music, Jazz Journal, Afropop Worldwide, Songlines, and in 2019 were named City of Austin Cultural Ambassadors.
