On February 23, 2025, the 9th Chopin in the City Festival featured a remarkable performance at ProMusica Audio in Chicago. The venue was filled to capacity as attendees gathered to experience the innovative sounds of the Rob Clearfield Quartet.

Pianist and composer Rob Clearfield presents Ashes and Diamonds, a 5-movement work exploring the nature of transitions from one era to another, and how cataclysmic events bring about both positive and negative changes. With a title borrowed from Andrzej Wadja’s 1958 film, Clearfield’s cinematic approach to composition is on full display as he and his quartet (feat. Greg Ward, Sam Weber, and Quin Kirchner) blur the lines between modern jazz and contemporary classical vocabularies and paradigms.

The quartet, featuring Greg Ward on saxophone, Sam Weber on bass, and Quin Kirchner on drums, seamlessly blended modern jazz with contemporary classical elements, creating a cinematic auditory experience that captivated the audience. The music carried a subtle nod to the Polish film’s haunting atmosphere, translating it into a modern musical language that resonated deeply with listeners.

The Chopin in the City Festival, now in its ninth year, celebrates the enduring legacy of Fryderyk Chopin by showcasing a diverse range of artists and genres across Chicago. The festival continues to bridge cultural and musical gaps, offering unique interpretations and performances that honor Chopin’s influence in the modern music landscape.