Ecstatic minimalism | Oslojazz 2026
Since its inception in 2010, Natural Information Society has been a truly unique band when it comes to hypnotic and extended compositions that shift between the meditative and the danceable. The band is led by Joshua Abrams, who was among the founders of The Roots and has been a pillar of the Chicago scene since the 1990s. The quartet also consists of Lisa Alvarado on harmonium and electronics, Jason Stein on bass clarinet, and Mikel Patrick Avery on drums.
Natural Information Society had an exceptionally strong year in 2025, with a handful of releases, including the critically acclaimed albums Preservation Flow as well as the collaborative project Totality with kindred spirits Bitchin Bajas. Both of these albums clearly demonstrate the band’s inspiration from Indian and Moroccan music, minimalism, and spiritual jazz, blended into a distinctive mix of organic, driving, and uplifting music. Their music has fittingly been described as “ecstatic minimalism.”
The band previously performed at the Motvind Festival to enormous acclaim, and Joshua Abrams gave a magical concert together with Andreas Røysum and Hamid Drake during Oslo Jazz 2025. We are therefore greatly looking forward to experiencing Natural Information Society unfold at MUNCH.
Joshua Abrams – guimbri, Lisa Alvarado – harmonium, electronics, Jason Stein – bass clarinet, Mikel Patrick Avery – drums
Concert starts: 19.00
Doors open: 18.00
This concert is co-programmed as part of this year's Oslo Jazz Festival. Modern jazz concerts at the Munch Museum date back to the mid-1960s. MUNCH's collaboration with Oslo Jazz Festival continues throughout the year in the series Jazz at MUNCH.