Concert: Joshua Abrams & Natural Information Society

Natural Information Society, a Chicago-based band led by Joshua Abrams, uses traditional and electric instrumentation to develop layered aural environments with a psychedelic feeling. Their music builds on the hypnotic qualities of the guimbri, a three-stringed instrument used by the Gnawan people in West Africa, while also drawing on a range of contemporary forms including jazz, minimalism, and krautrock.

At Bond Chapel on Jan 13, 2018, the group presented a new piece, featuring an expanded line-up of musicians:

Joshua Abrams: guimbri
Lisa Alvarado: harmonium and gongs
Mikel Avery: percussion and gongs
Hamid Drake: tabla and frame drum
Ben Lamar Gay: cornet Nick Mazzarella: alto saxophone
Jason Stein: bass clarinet