Ted Atkatz's decision to take a year-long sabbatical from his gig as the principal percussionist in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra was a bold one. Exchanging his drumsticks for a Nord keyboard and a Gibson acoustic, he began singing an altogether different tune. He wrote twelve songs, collaborated with three of Chicago’s finest musicians, and NYCO was born.
Two, NYCO’s debut album, resonates with the sincerity and energy of great rock'n roll, capped by Atkatz's striking melodies. Produced by Grammy-award winner Jim Tullio, reviewers have called the album a “must-own.” Chicago's own Q101 FM and WXRT 93.1 FM, stations that helped bring bands like Wilco and Smashing Pumpkins into the mainstream, have lately taken to spinning NYCO’s tunes. The soulful “English Song" has already garnered significant attention, and has even been dubbed a “pop classic” by WXRT DJ Richard Milne.
Onstage, Atkatz is joined by the stellar trio of Dave Saenger, Kells Nollenberger, and Devin Staples. Saenger's lead guitar adds a unique sonic texture that perfectly compliments Atkatz's vocals. Nollenberger has played bass with the best jazz musicians in Chicago and brings a deep, versatile feel to NYCO's rhythm section. Staples, the other half of that rhythm section, displays a raw percussive talent that has most recently been honed through his collaboration with Cassius Clay. For anyone who has experienced the foursome live, they make it easy to understand that they were meant to rock out together.
Over the past year, NYCO has been playing to audiences across the United States. True to their Chicago roots, however, they have made a point of playing hometown shows at famous local venues like the Double Door. But with the band's popularity continuing to grow at such a rapid rate, the time for seeing NYCO in a small venue may be running out.
For more information, visit their website: http://www.nycomusic.com
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