Atlas Maior

Atlas Maior creates original music that combines elements of Progressive Jazz, Middle Eastern, Latin American, and Indian music traditions. Band members Joshua Thomson (alto saxophone, flutes), Josh Peters (oud, lavta), Create a unique sound that balances intimate moments of sincerity with powerful melodies and incendiary rhythmic passages. Bolstered by a top-notch rhythm section, Atlas Maior writes original melodies exploring maqamat (Middle Eastern modal system) and harmonic progressions found in American jazz. The group composes with a wide variety of rhythms and incorporates traditional instruments including the Indian tablas, Middle Eastern dumbek, & Peruvian cajón.

As an ensemble, Atlas Maior has released 5 studio albums, (recently 2019's RIPTIDE) & has opened for internationally acclaimed artists Kaki King, Vieux Farka Touré, & Tal National. The group has garnered positive reviews and media placement from Public Radio International, New York Daily Music, Jazz Journal U.K., Medium, Afropop Worldwide, KUTX, All About Jazz, Tokyo Jazz Site, Song Lines, UTNE Reader, Glide Magazine, Earmilk, Austin Chronicle, and more. Atlas Maior has toured internationally in France, Spain, and Turkey, and has received hometown recognition as 2019 Creative Ambassadors to the City of Austin. Other accolades include placement in the Marrakech Biennale 5 in 2014 Morocco), and recipient of the City of Austin's Proclamation: March 27th, 2014 as "Atlas Maior Day” by Austin’ City Council.