The Vandermark 5 and Atomic

Jez Nelson presents a second chance to hear performances by Scandinavian super-group Atomic and the Vandermark 5, a band led by Chicago-based reeds player Ken Vandermark.

Atomic's debut album, Feet Music (2002), heralded the birth of a new Scandinavian sound, which brought together contemporary rock and pop influences with the jazz tradition. The quintet's music has become harder, faster and louder in the last decade, as heard in this performance of material from their most recent album, Theater Tilters.

15 years and 16 albums after forming, the Vandermark 5 continues to be one of the most exciting and forward-looking bands in contemporary music, exploring the borders of composition and improvisation, and of jazz, funk rock and new music. Both performances were recorded at the Vortex in London in the autumn of 2010.

Presenter: Jez Nelson
Producers: Phil Smith & Russell Finch.