The Atlas Trio - Epochs

The Band

The Atlas Trio invites audiences onto a sonic journey across continents, cultures, and centuries. Their expansive repertoire serves as a passport to the world’s rich heritage, unearthing ancient melodies and reimagining them through a modern lens; bringing new light to contemporary and modern music; and introducing fascinating original compositions, all in a rare collaboration with custom instrumentation. The project is composed of three wonderful accomplished musicians in Austin, Texas, performing an unlikely ensemble of cello, bandolim (10-string Brazilian mandolin), and a custom-made 14-string instrument called a "harp-guitar".

Each member brings their own art and experiences from successful independent careers. Each instrument brings it's own voice to the trio, which creates a one-of-a-kind dynamic range with strikingly contrasting timbres and textures. Each carefully selected and meticulously arranged piece in their set carries its own rich history, unique story, and visceral experience.

The Concert

Through their flagship production, Epochs, the ensemble crafts an experience filled with variety and intrigue by exploring music from vastly different styles and eras. Audiences will hear everything from the world’s oldest surviving complete composition - the 2,000-year-old Greek Seikilos Epitaph - to the haunting French avant-garde of Erik Satie, the fiery Spanish romanticism of Albéniz’s Granada, and the powerful and poignant nuevo tango of Astor Piazzolla's Adiós Nonino. Their program also includes music from Japan, vibrant Brazilian samba, vintage swing and Jazz Manouche, driving Venezuelan folk rhythms, original compositions, and Songe d’Automne—famed as the final song played aboard the Titanic.

Epochs moves away from the rigid formality of traditional classical stages and treats audiences to a warm, intimate atmosphere; making them a perfect fit for discerning music listeners and premium house concert settings. Between each piece, the musicians share the rich history, folklore, and personal stories behind the music, bridging the gap between performer and listener. The program is specifically scaled for intimate acoustic venues, listening rooms, and house concerts.

Mandolinist and guitarist Max Robertson, a native of Austin, Texas, spent much of his professional career performing throughout the Dallas–Fort Worth area before returning to his hometown in 2025. Comfortable in a variety of musical settings, Max performs traditional jazz, swing, manouche jazz, western swing, bluegrass, country/Americana, and Brazilian styles like choro, samba, and bossa nova. Over the years, Max has performed with numerous ensembles including La Pompe, Sassafras Swing Set, the World Jazz Project, the Marcelo Berestovoy Quartet, Ryan Glenn and the Honky Tonk Heat, the Matthew Banks Group, The Gypsy Playboys, Nitty Gritty Jazz Band, and There I Ruined It, appearing at festivals, concert venues, clubs, and private events throughout Texas. 

Cellist Jen Hwo is a multifaceted musician whose work spans performance and education. She performs regularly with the Austin Civic Orchestra, Starlight Symphony, and the Red River Ensemble in Austin, Texas.

Deeply committed to music education, she collaborates closely with orchestra directors in the Lake Travis ISD, coaching the cello and bass sections and serving as a piano accompanist for student concerts and competitions. Jen is also the owner of Lake Travis Music Studio, the largest private music studio in Spicewood, Texas, where she teaches cello, piano, and double bass and curates a faculty offering violin and viola instruction. 

Adam Carney lives and works in Austin, Texas as a full time musician, composer and guitar instructor. He performs regularly on his custom "harp-guitar" and 7-string guitars as a soloist and in projects like the Hora Once Tango Project, The Violet Crown Affair, Caros Amigos Brazilian Choro and Odeon.

Adam Carney has recorded as a soloist and collaborated with many other artists on projects and albums, including 2007 Swing Jazz album Morning Moon, solo harp guitar album Elizabeth in 2009, the award winning Nuevo Tango album Libertango with the Austin Piazzolla Quintet in 2011, the 2016 self-titled Nuevo Tango/Latin Folk music album Hora Once, and recently finished his 5th studio album with Austin-based Choro group, Caros Amigos. Since moving to Austin, he has had his music featured on movies, TV shows and video games, including television documentaries, indie movies, international television commercials, and the television series Archer on the FX network.