The term “modern classicists” has the ring of an oxymoron. Yet, tonight’s two groups, The Bad Plus and Doctor 3, lend the term some credibility, balancing the classical tradition of the piano trio with a distinctly modern attack and musical sensibility.

De facto rock stars of modern jazz, the members of The Bad Plus come from two distinct backgrounds. Bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King met as junior high student musicians in their native Minnesota, both rabid fans of indie rock and left-of-center jazz. Ethan Iverson, on the other hand, is a classically trained pianist who listened to classical and jazz pieces exclusively during his formative years.

Though The Bad Plus has gained a reputation for fearless group playing and covers of familiar rock and pop tunes, the group is currently cementing its reputation for sharp and often humorous original compositions by all three members, as on its latest album Prog.

Doctor 3 made its SFJAZZ debut in 2003, yet the group still remains a well-kept secret to all but the most diehard piano trio fans on this side of the Atlantic. In their native Italy, pianist Danilo Rea, bassist Enzo Pietropaoli and drummer Fabrizio Sferra are bonified superstars. Doctor 3 has been flowing and swinging as a collective unit since 1997. Rea and Pietropaoli’s relationship goes back even further, the two having first played together back in 1975. Pietropaoli and Sferra, in turn, played in a trio led by pianist Enrico Pieranunzi (Chet Baker, Jim Hall, Charlie Haden) for a decade, exploring the latter’s concept of “space jazz.”

Today the trio comes down to earth, interpreting songs by ’70s singer-songwriters Paul Simon, Elton John, Carole King and Neil Young with even more modern yet still traditionally informed ideals.

Close program notes

• The Bad Plus


• Ethan Iverson, piano
• Reid Anderson, bass


• David King, drums



• Doctor 3


• Danilo Rea, piano
• Enzo Pietropaoli, bass


• Fabrizio Sferra, drums