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The Marc Atkinson Trio, an acoustic guitar-driven trio, is an up-and-coming group from Victoria, BC, Canada, not to be missed. This virtuostic group’s success has been leaping forward over the past couple years. Acoustic Guitar Magazine voted the trio’s most recent CD, the Marc Atkinson Trio II, one of the top 5 five CDs released in North America in 2002. This CD was also nominated for best jazz album by the 2003 Western Canadian Music Awards. The Trio will be releasing their 3rd album in 2005.
Warmly welcomed by folk, jazz and classical audiences alike, the group recently received a standing ovation as an official showcaser at the North American Folk Alliance Conference and is also a frequent performer at the acclaimed Festival International de Jazz de Montreal. The Marc Atkinson trio plays at many major folk and jazz festivals across North America. Marc, a Canadian instrumentalist/composer/arranger/ producer, is one of Canada’s most talented musicians.
Marc’s hummable original compositions, found on both of the self-titled CDs I and II, take acoustic guitar to a refreshing new level. The tunes use a ferocious but elegant gypsy guitar style, infused with a catchy blend of influences ranging from folk to jazz to classical to world beat. All this while still maintaining the laid back humour and casual ‘good time feel’ of Canada’s West Coast. Marc’s picking has been described as flawless, surprise-filled and sizzling. His music is original, complex and challenging in its conception and delivery but remains accessible and absorbing. The music of the Marc Atkinson Trio good-naturedly welcomes all listeners aboard for an intriguing, exhilarating and unforgettable ride.
These days the trio’s audiences are expecting to be wowed. They are well primed beforehand for the trio’s appearances through glowing write-ups, reviews and interviews. The trio has built a robust fan base in Canada and they have begun to tour more extensively in the US.
Marc is backed by Joey Smith on bass and Chris Frye on rhythm guitar. Perhaps what is most unusual about this jazz trio is that Marc and Chris are also the founding members of a completely different band. The Bills (formerly the Bill Hilly Band) plays spirited and eclectic folk music. Their second CD won the best folk/roots album at the Western Canadian Music Awards and was nominated for a Canadian Juno Award. The Bills released their new album, Let Em Run, on June 26, 2004, and it has recently been nominated for a Juno Award. The Bills can be found on main stages of folk festival across Canada and into the US.
Marc Atkinson - acoustic lead guitar
Chris Frye - acoustic rhythm guitar
Joey Smith - stand up bass
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