A half-jazz, half-rock hybrid reaching into conceptual jams.

7 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Progressive Rock, JAZZ: Weird Jazz



Details:
"Fresh, super-cool"
Grazyna Auguscik (GMA Records)

Information Superhighway began in the fall of 2003 with the collaboration of vocalist, Leslie Beukelman and pianist/composer, Rob Clearfield. Upon meeting at the Chicago College of Performing Arts (CCPA) at Roosevelt University, they began exploring jazz and pop idioms, as well as free improvisation. As Rob's original compositions became a bigger focus, he and Leslie realized their music required a larger ensemble to achieve the full sound they desired. After careful consideration, they asked CCPA classmates Patrick Mulcahy (bass) and John Smillie (drums) to join them. This ensemble became what is now called, Information Superhighway.

At its formation, Information Superhighway concentrated primarily on modern jazz, incorporating vocals with and without words, and extended song forms. Balancing complex composition and sophisticated improvisation, they drew upon such influences as Maria Schneider, Brad Mehldau, Theo Bleckmann and Ben Monder, Danilo Perez, Luciana Souza, Brian Blade Fellowship, and Chicago-based singer Grazyna Auguscik.

Over the last year and a half, the band's sound has drawn on more pop and rock influences, incorporating electric keyboards, and focusing on simpler, word-based song forms. Information Superhighway has been compared to such artists as Radiohead, Norah Jones, Sigur Ros, The Sea and Cake, Bjork, Steve Reich, and Jeff Parker.

Information Superhighway has performed at Chicago venues such as the Green Mill, the Tonic Room, the Beat Kitchen, the Elbo Room, Wise Foolâs Pub, the Fine Arts Building, and the Velvet Lounge. The quartet was featured at the Green Mill in the spring of 2006 as part of the Chicago Jazz Composer's Collective, showcasing Rob's original compositions. Information Superhighway recently released their debut album, "First Morning" and can be heard at various clubs and venues in the Chicago-land area.

"Rob Clearfield writes songs of breath-taking beauty and heâs a wonderful pianist, too!â
Marilyn Crispell (ECM Records, Anthony Braxton Quartet)

âLeslie Beukelman has such a natural way about her singing. Her pitch, her range, her sound, her interpretation is extraordinary."
Maria Schneider (Grammy Award Winning Artist)