Marc Atkinson Quartet

Marc Atkinson is a multiple award-winning, world-touring musician from Canada. Don’t miss a chance to see his latest golden musical project, The Marc Atkinson Quartet. Musical alchemy would be a good way to describe all the projects that this internationally recognized master of guitar and mandolin touches. Jurgen Goethe (CBC) described the renowned Marc Atkinson Trio as “. . . solidly in the top ten of the world's working string trios . . .” The virtuosic and exuberant folk quintet that Marc co-founded, The Bills, burned a trail through North American and European music festivals and was arguably one of the best Canadian folk outfits of the last decade. Together, these two groups have seven acclaimed releases which garnered 2 Juno nominations, 2 Western Canadian Music Awards (WCMA) including Entertainer of the Year, 2 WCMA nominations, 2 Canadian Folk Music Award nominations, a 2nd place prize with the International Acoustic Music Awards to name just a few of the accolades. Marc’s playing and composing is described as “jawdropping,” “stunning,” “dazzling,” “flawless, surprise-filled and sizzling,” and “remarkable.” Marc has performed at festivals from Celtic Connections in Glasgow, to the Montreal International Jazz Festival, to California WorldFest, to Tonder Festival in Denmark and even for the Queen of England.

Now, combining the best of both worlds, the Marc Atkinson Quartet has leapt to the stage with an all-star lineup designed to thrill and amaze from concert hall to the festival mainstage. The performance includes everything from flashy, rapid-fire playing, to swooning ballads, to stage antics, humorous stories and the good-time feel that comes with watching musicians challenge themselves and have a lot of fun.

The lineup includes Marc Atkinson (acoustic guitar, mandolin), Adrian Dolan also co-founder of the Bills and touring artist with such names as Ridley Bent, The Arrogant Worms, Irish legends The Chieftains, Barney Bentall and Old Man Luedecke (fiddle, accordion, viola, piano – if there is one), Joey Smith also in the Marc Atkinson Trio and formerly touring with the Glen Miller Orchestra (stand up bass) and Kelby McNayr the bare-footed drummer and percussionist who brings an explosive and daring energy to the band’s sound.

Maverick Magazine - Loudon Wainwright
. . . he picks in the same kind of league as Chet Atkins.

The Province – John P. McLaughlin
Atkinson backs up his jaw-dropping technique with real -- and really good -- music.

Georgia Straight - Alexander Varty
Think Pat Metheny and John Scofield if those artists had grown up amid the blue waters and green hillsides of the Georgia Basin.

Acoustic Guitar Magazine – Michael Simmons
. . . top-drawer picking... an inventive composer...a truly original voice.?

The Province – John P. McLaughlin
. . . a remarkable guitar player . . . innovative and dazzling.

?Intune Music Quarterly - Ron Forbes Roberts
Marc Atkinson shows that his gift for thoughtful, melodic improvisation is as prodigious as his awesome chops. . . his technique always serves his intriguing musical ideas and is never just a flashy end in itself. His phrasing has an effortless, singing quality that's difficult to achieve on acoustic guitar, and his lines go off in fascinating, unpredictable directions without derailing the innate logic of the tune . . . a monster, master player.

Ubyssee - Terry Boake
Atkinson's distinct plucking seems almost impossible, as each note rings with graceful perfection.

Toronto Star – Greg Quill
Atkinson is a daring and inventive acoustic guitarist and a powerful force in the new roots/ jazz movement.

The Victoria News
He darts up and down the length of the fret-board, plucking out a barrage of well-timed notes with amazing dexterity.

Jazz Elements - Cindy McLeod
. . . outstanding technique, and a fluent, graceful style. He’s also a composer of note [who is] quickly headed for superstar status.

Santa Barbara Soho – Bryan Walton
Acoustic guitarist Atkinson's name is now etched in this listener's must-hear-again mental file.

Vancouver Sun – Marke Andrews
The playing is flawless.

Just Jazz Guitar Magazine
Atkinson's lines are dynamic, sophisticated and very personal.

Victoria News
...punching out lively tunes with technical prowess, yet still interspersed with episodes of emotionally-charged improv . . . he darts up and down the length of the fret-board, plucking out a barrage of well-timed notes with amazing dexterity.