The Bad Plus
Biography
Are the Bad Plus a pop- and rock-influenced jazz trio? Or are they a power trio who like to play jazz? It's really a bit of both. But in the brave new world of postmodern jazz, identity crises are encouraged. Reid Anderson (bass) and David King (drums) grew up in Minnesota, while pianist Ethan Iverson spent his formative years in Wisconsin. Eventually, after crossing paths in such unlikely places as high school rock showcases and tentative free jazz performances inside upper-Midwestern diners, the three first performed as the Bad Plus in 1990; but they would spend the '90s embracing separate influences, each musician developing a unique musical language that would gestate into the Bad Plus' iconoclastic jazz template. Anderson released three albums on the Spanish indie Fresh Sound; Iverson was music director of New York City's prestigious Mark Morris Dance Group; and King worked with his Happy Apple combo, as well as 12 Rods.
In August of 2001, the trio put aside their other projects and released The Bad Plus through Fresh Sound. It established them as a group unafraid to stray from the confines of jazz, but confident enough in their forays to make them stimulating, and not simply novelties.
Selected Discography
Listening to 'Silence is the Question' while lying down, relaxed, eyes closed, is quite an experience. And I agree, Dave King is amazing. Happy Apple is no different either, just phenomenal music. I met Mike Lewis at a Cheetah Nunchuck show this summer (at Downtime Bar and Grill, in Dinkytown MN). He was really nice and down-to-eart h , and was very tolerant of my annoying reminders of his greatness. He even got onstage for a few numbers! Man, I must've been really annoying!
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One of the best bands out there, and David King is the greatest. If you like his style, check out his other band, Happy Apple. Different style of jazz, but you'll probably like it if you like TBP. Also, the playing of covers is definitely not a gimmick. Covering earlier material has been a staple of jazz since its inception. The only difference is that TBP covers rock because they grew up with it and like it, and it makes for interesting inspiration for a jazz piece.
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for those wondering, this mystery drummer is dave king.
also, they're playing covers because they like the way the songs sound -- it's not a joke, or a marketing ploy, or anything. my favorite song is giant... |
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The drummer is probably the most unique drummer I've ever heard. It's almost like he reinvents the instrument. Poopy Trim.
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Great musicians and writers, but the reliance on covers seems like a marketing ploy. They should focus on writing their own material.
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these guys are good. never heard of them until today. but daddy like.....
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So... are they a Bad Plus...or a Good Minus? Who knows. All I know is that these guys rock the house harder than any so-called "rock band" on the radio.
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these guys are amazing, what could be better than a blend of jazz and classic rock that leans toward the jazz jam session side yet remains a power trio, etc?
the drummer rocks by the way. |
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