The group from Minnesota, originally founded as a piano trio in 2000, is known for their masterful blend of avant-garde jazz with modern rock and pop elements, which is especially clear in their unique takes on well-known indie rock songs. Since growing into a quartet in 2021, The Bad Plus have taken the radical step of changing their instrumentation and thus the band's sound, following the departure of their founding member and pianist Ethan Iverson. Now, founding members Reid Anderson and Dave King are supported not by piano but by Chris Speed on saxophone and Ben Monder on guitar. What remains is the highly precise and dynamic interplay, driven by the consistently understated virtuosity of each member. Especially live, the band reaches a level of quality that is rarely seen.

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