The Bad Plus

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.

Over its evolution, The Bad Plus has developed a group concept and sound that makes for a thrilling ride without boundaries or preconceptions. They are, in the words of Rolling Stone, “about as badass as highbrow gets.”