The TransAtlantic Collective was a contemporary jazz ensemble that operated on the international scene from the years 2005-2009, and in that time performed a couple hundred concerts across the USA, UK and Mainland Eastern/Western Europe. The TAC was arguably the most ambitious touring ensemble of its kind during its period of operation. As the band has been on ‘permanent vacation’ due to its founding members (Michael Janisch & Patrick Cornelius) focusing on their own solo careers, this page has been created as a tribute to all the hard work and great music that was made by the band during its short but intense life. The group’s informative website was finally shut down in 2010 after receiving over 40,000 unique visits a year.

The TAC recorded its only album in 2008, titled ‘Traveling Song’ on Woodville Records, which was very well received by fans and critics around the globe. As of April 2012, Whirlwind Recordings obtained the rights to re-launch and sell ‘Traveling Song’ in a mutually agreed licensing deal between the two labels. As the project was a labor of love for WWR founder Michael Janisch, it made complete sense to keep its memory alive by creating this page full of information on the band, as well as keeping the album for sale here on our site. Moreover, Woodville Records have discontinued the physical sale of the record with their distributors due to the fact that out of the first 1,000 copies that were printed, there are only less than 50 copies now remaining. WWR now has this limited number of copies in its possession for sale (which now can only be purchased off this site). When these final copies are sold, the album will only be available in digital format.

The TransAtlantic Collective Official Biography:  The TransAtlantic Collective was a contemporary jazz ensemble that operated on the international scene from the years 2005-2009, undertaking substantial tours in the USA, UK, and Mainland/Eastern Europe. Its members and collaborators represented some of the top emerging artists from New York City, London, and Europe. The Collective was formed in order to foster cross-continental collaboration in musical performance, composition, and education. The Collective was started in 2005 by Patrick Cornelius (a multi-award-winning New York saxophonist and composer), and London-based American Michael Janisch (a prominent new global voice on the acoustic and electric bass).  Both alumni of Boston’s prestigious Berklee College of Music, Patrick and Michael founded the Collective as a way to bring musicians from Europe and New York together and spark musical kinship between both sides of the Atlantic. After establishing the project’s mission, the two musicians invited the up-and-coming percussionist and composer Paul Wiltgen (a native of Luxembourg who lives and works both in New York and Europe) to join them as the ensemble’s permanent third member. Rounding out the TransAtlantic Collective’s core quintet was London trumpeter Quentin Collins (one of the UK’s most sought-after brass virtuosos) and dazzling Estonian pianist Kristjan Randalu. The Collective also featured the guest talents of guitarist Phil Robson (UK), pianists Jason Rebello (UK), Gwilym Simcock (UK), Dan Tepfer (France), John Escreet (UK), and Andrew MacCormack (UK), trumpeter Avishai Cohen (Israel), percussionist Kendrick Scott (USA), trombonist Nick Vayenas (USA), and tenor saxophonist Konrad Wiszniewski (Scotland) during its lifetime.

The TransAtlantic Collective’s music blended the contemporary sounds of modern progressive jazz and world music with the rich tradition of jazz history. While the ensemble’s focus was the development and introduction of new original material, it also gave a tip of the hat to the great jazz lexicon through the reinterpretation of classic standards, such as Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right With Me.”

The band performed year around in both North America and Europe (which was now small task for modern contemporary jazz ensembles). Their largest tour was in the fall of 2008, where the band performed at over 38 venues and festivals across England, Scotland, Wales, Luxembourg, Germany, Spain, and Estonia. Some notable performances included a concert at the Southbank Centre Purcell Room during the London Jazz Festival, a 3-night residency at Ronnie Scott’s in London playing opposite the legendary Roy Haynes, the Bonnington Theater in Nottingham, L’Inoui in Luxembourg, and the Joulu Jazz Festival in Estonia.  Staying true to one of its founding missions, The Collective also presented educational master classes, workshops, and private lessons at many of its tour events, including an artist residency at London’s famed Royal Academy of Music.

In October 2008, The TransAtlantic Collective released their debut album, Traveling Song, on the UK jazz imprint Woodville Records. This impressive debut release contained original music penned by each member of the ensemble, and a labyrinthine re-imagining of Cole Porter’s classic, It’s All Right with Me.  The group dis-banded in 2009 as a result of Michael Janisch and Patrick Cornelius focusing on their own solo careers.  Although the prospect of a ‘reunion’ tour has never been ruled out, the band for all practical purposes is not in operation, although represented a substantial musical effort while in its brief but intense years of touring.

What some of the press said About The TransAtlantic Collective:

“a 21st-century version of cool school bop, and a Wayne Shorterish blend of enigmatically floating lyricism over driving drumming”
–John Fordham, The Guardian

“The TransAtlantic Collective sounds like the musicians are pleasing themselves, but with no sense that those outside the group are being ignored. ‘Traveling Song’ is an involving and refreshing piece of work.” –All About Jazz

“…a well-flexed session of young guns strutting their stuff, confidently aware of each other’s quirks and fancies… the harmonically precise, pitch-perfect solos never flagged…”
–The Financial Times

“Dynamic Contemporary Jazz”
–The List,

“Cutting-Edge, High Energy Jazz”
–Time Out

“[The TransAtlantic Collective] has really established itself as an exciting working unit, forging genuine connections between London, Europe, and NYC….highly-charged contemporary jazz fuelled by their innate virtuosity, but never hindered by it.”
–JazzWise

“Cutting Edge”
–Harlow Herald

“…sharp, vigorous yet absorbing music from a band clearly at ease with both itself and its material…. able to negotiate fiercely complex rearrangements and compositions with wit and aplomb… ”
– Chris Parker, Vortex Gig Review