Atlantic Road Trip
CHAD MCCULLOUGH trumpet, flugelhorn | MIRO HERAK vibraphone | PAUL TOWNDROW alto saxophone, flute, whistles
Atlantic Road Trip is an acclaimed international ensemble that has captivated audiences worldwide with its distinctive fusion of Celtic folk and modern jazz. Featuring the ethereal interplay of whistle, saxophone, trumpet, and vibraphone, the group creates a rich sonic tapestry where ancient traditions meet contemporary improvisation. Through virtuosic musicianship and deep cultural dialogue, Atlantic Road Trip has established itself as a boundary-pushing force in cross-cultural musical exploration, enchanting listeners from intimate clubs to prestigious festival stages across the globe.
“This intercontinental group of virtuoso musicians opens their joint account with an exhilarating display of varied influences and high-octane top-class jazz performances.” - UK Jazz News
Co-led by trumpeter Chad McCullough (USA), vibraphonist Miro Herak (CZ/SK/NED), and multi-woodwind specialist Paul Towndrow (Scotland), Atlantic Road Trip emerged from a performance at the 2021 Glasgow Jazz Festival and has since built a devoted international following through extensive touring across the UK, Ireland, the USA, the Netherlands, and Belgium.
The ensemble's debut album, ONE (2023, Calligram Records), captures their singular approach to reimagining folk traditions through the prism of contemporary jazz improvisation. Recorded in Glasgow between performances, the album launched a three-week US tour that culminated in the premiere of Over Mountain, Under Sky—an ambitious, large-scale work featuring the core trio alongside a full jazz ensemble and string orchestra.
Their new release, Watch As The Echo Falls (2026, Calligram Records), deepens the group's exploration of innovative sonic territory while showcasing a consolidated musical vision from this transatlantic collaboration.
Watch as the Echo Falls has already garnered critical acclaim ahead of it's release. "5-stars... Oh, such beauty," writes Jeff Krow of Audiophile Audition. "Atlantic Road Trip's new CD provides near 45 minutes of bliss… This is a release to treasure, and one to return to often, as a respite from chaotic times."
Thierry De Clemensat of Paris-move.com notes: "In a contemporary landscape where jazz and folk increasingly intersect yet often remain neatly compartmentalized, Watch As The Echo Falls occupies a rarer space. It does not fuse genres so much as dissolve their boundaries, offering instead a fluid, exploratory language, one that privileges atmosphere over assertion, and discovery over definition."
“An international collaboration capable of transcending geographical and cultural boundaries in the process of creating some terrific music. The standard of the writing and the playing is exceptional.” Ian Mann - The Jazzman
Whether performing as a trio or augmented by exceptional rhythm sections, Atlantic Road Trip delivers a signature sound that stands apart in contemporary music. Their masterful integration of musical folklore and jazz improvisation has established them as one of the most compelling ensembles on the international stage.