Atomic is one of Scandinavia’s most important jazz groups. It has won several norwegian grammy’s, the swedish Jazzkatten and other national and international awards.
Up until now, the band consisted of Fredrik Ljungkvist (sax, clarinet), Magnus Broo (trumpet), Håvard Wiik (piano) Ingebrigt Håker Flaten (bass) and Paal Nilssen-Love (drums).
Since 2000 they have toured Europe, Japan and the US on a regular basis and did a successful tour in Brazil last spring.
After 13 years behind the drums, Paal Nilssen-Love has decided to leave Atomic and focus more on other projects. For Atomic this offered an opportunity to get some fresh blood in the unit. The choice fell on the young and talented Hans Hulbækmo.
Despite his young age of 24, Hulbækmo has made a big impact on the Norwegian jazz scene and shows a musical maturity far beyond his years. He was thrown to the wolves when after only a one-hour soundcheck he played with Atomic for the first time in Narbonne, France, last July 21st.
The result exceeded the expectations of the other band members and they are very happy to welcome Hans Hulbækmo as the new drummer of Atomic.
The first opportunity to catch the new line-up is at Oslo Jazz festival, August 12. There will be a European tour in October and CD-release tours in the US and Europe in 2015.
Atomic is very happy to have acquired such a talented musician in the band and is looking forward to future adventures.
(Foto: Sergia Merino)
