The Bad Plus

The Bad Plus emerged in 2000 as a disruptive force in contemporary jazz, famously dubbed 'jazz for the rest of us.' Formed in Minneapolis by bassist Reid Anderson, drummer Dave King, and pianist Ethan Iverson, the group rejected the 'Young Lions' neo-traditionalism of the 1990s in favor of a rowdy, genre-blurring aesthetic.

Their sound identity is defined by Dave King's explosive, rock-influenced drumming and a collective commitment to democratic improvisation where no instrument is purely accompaniment. They gained mainstream notoriety for their avant-garde reinterpretations of pop and rock hits, which served as a bridge for non-jazz listeners while maintaining high-level harmonic sophistication. After Iverson's departure in 2017, the group briefly transitioned with Orrin Evans before reinventing themselves as a piano-less quartet featuring Ben Monder and Chris Speed. This evolution shifted their sound toward more textural, guitar-driven explorations while retaining their signature rhythmic aggression. They remain a cornerstone of the 'Bad Plus' school of modern jazz, influencing a generation of trios to embrace indie-rock dynamics and pop sensibilities.