The Bad Plus

Returning to the Miner stage for the first time since expanding to a quartet with the addition of saxophonist Chris Speed and guitarist Ben Monder, The Bad Plus performs material from their recent self-titled album and more.

A uniquely audacious band that has crossed into the mainstream to draw jazz fans and rock aficionados alike, they rose to fame over two decades ago by transforming pop and rock anthems like Black Sabbath’s “Iron Man,” Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” and Queen’s “We Are the Champions” into epic improvisational journeys.

Originally formed in 1989 as a trio with pianist Ethan Iverson, bassist Reid Anderson, and drummer Dave King, the band recorded a series of masterful recordings that balanced tongue-in-cheek irreverence with dauntingly accomplished musicianship. After Iverson’s departure in 2017 and a short stint by pianist Orrin Evans, The Bad Plus was joined by Speed, a visionary saxophonist whose accomplices have included Jim Black, Tim Berne, and Craig Taborn, and Monder, a guitarist of a singular virtuosity whose resume runs the gamut from Brother Jack McDuff to David Bowie’s final masterwork Blackstar.