Live Concert | microplastique

When

Friday June 20, 2025: 2:00pm to 3:00pm  Add to Calendar /   Add to Google Calendar

Where

Downtown Library: 4th Floor Meeting Room

Description

Founded in March 2023, microplastique is an innovative quartet based in Chicago, comprised of multi-instrumentalists Ben Zucker, Molly Jones, Josh Harlow, and Adam Shead. Each member brings a diverse range of skills and experiences, allowing the group to create a rich and varied musical landscape. Under the leadership of bandleader Adam Shead, the ensemble performs original compositions that skillfully merge a wide array of influences.

The group draws inspiration from iconic jazz figures such as the Art Ensemble of Chicago, renowned for its avant-garde approach; Don Cherry, known for his incorporation of non-western music into jazz; Misha Mengelberg, with his emphasis on spontaneity; and Henry Threadgill, who blends intricate structures with improvisation. In addition, microplastique looks to contemporary classical composers like Steve Reich, whose minimalist techniques have reshaped the modern musical landscape, as well as Pauline Oliveros, recognized for her deep listening philosophy, and Kurt Weill, celebrated for his dramatic and theatrical compositions.

microplastique's performance style is notably eclectic, utilizing an extensive array of instruments. They incorporate various percussion instruments, flutes, horns, toy instruments, and a wide range of sound effects to construct a unique auditory experience that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Their soundscape is a fascinating amalgamation of absurdity and seriousness, weaving together an emotional tapestry that fluctuates between ecstatic joy, profound sorrow, yearning, and deep contemplation.