The Bad Plus

[Michelino]

Anyone else here into them? (http://www.thebadplus.com/)

Looks like they are in the Jazz Tent second Friday....One of my favorites, in fact they were one of the top bands that I had on the "New Bands for Jazz Fest" thread started last year.

Haven't seen any club action for these guys...Anyone know if or where they might show up at night?

[freebo]

Michelino, I know nothing about that band, but will check them out on your recommendation.

What I'm posting about is your new avatar, however.

I keep waiting for it to wink at me...

:D

[Michelino]

Michelino, I know nothing about that band, but will check them out on your recommendation.

What I'm posting about is your new avatar, however.

I keep waiting for it to wink at me...

:D

Imagine if a Monk Tribute band on their way to a Blondie Concert collided with someone playing Rachmaninoff on the Big Grand piano. That's The Bad Plus. Wild Stuff. And then again, it might just be about the drummer.

Their covers of "Chariots of Fire", "Heart of Glass" and Nirvana and others are masterpieces of deconstruction in a new way -- a sound no one else makes. It make take a couple of listens to see if you like them. My favoriites are their originals such as "Dirty Blonde" or, a tribute to our current leadership, "The Empire Strikes Backwards"

(The avatar will change back to a winker when I get some time)

[jazzykeb]

Yeah, I am interested in checking them out too Michelino. Being an old time Rush fan, my ears perked up one day hearing a vaguely recognizable instrumental tune, and I was shocked to realize it was Tom Sawyer by Rush as played by Bad Plus. Very cool!

[Lester_leaps_in]

They are excellent - I've seen them twice.

They are advant garde, though. So, if you are a traditionist, you may be a little taken aback.

The drummer, especially, is awesome. He drums on *everything*. I had a friend tell me that she would have hated to be his mother, because, as a child, he was probably banging on every pot and pan in the kitchen.

The real genius, IMHO, is the piano player, though. Most of the creative work comes from his head and his fingers. Personalitywise, he is as understated as the drummer is over the top.

See'em if you can.

[hewboy22]

good info everyone. never seen them before and i just noticed they are playing a tiny little theater in albany next thursday. think i'm going to have to check 'em out :)

[Belle]

Michelino, I know nothing about that band, but will check them out on your recommendation.

What I'm posting about is your new avatar, however.

I keep waiting for it to wink at me...

:D


Freebo you are not alone. Kept looking and waiting for the wink too.

I saw these guys in Seattle sometime in the fall of '04. Just loved them If you like traditional jazz only these guys aren't for you but they are hot, groovy and cool. Sorry I will not be there to see them again especially at fest.

Adding them to friends on myspace though so if they come east coast...I will go.

Thanks for the reminder of a great show though.

[mightyradgumbo]

Sound very interesting and I will look to check them out as well....this is what I love about Fest; the chance to check something out and if they ain't your cup o' tea, move on to the next stage.

[Michelino]

They are excellent - I've seen them twice.

They are advant garde, though. So, if you are a traditionist, you may be a little taken aback.

The drummer, especially, is awesome. He drums on *everything*. I had a friend tell me that she would have hated to be his mother, because, as a child, he was probably banging on every pot and pan in the kitchen.

The real genius, IMHO, is the piano player, though. Most of the creative work comes from his head and his fingers. Personalitywise, he is as understated as the drummer is over the top.

See'em if you can.

This is my favorite quote from their press review page: (http://www.thebadplus.com/band/press_reviews/default.htm)

"If the Coen Brothers put together a jazz trio, perhaps it would be like this, the comic and the dramatic rolled together."

Ethan Iverson, the piano player, also maintains their blog "Do The Math" which show all members ofthe band are real students of Jazz and culture. Itis one of the best, insightful, and at times, provocative music blogs that I've seen. Here's his recent post on Oscar Peterson and Miles Davis (http://thebadplus.typepad.com/dothemath/2008/01/oscar-peterson.html), for example

All three write the music, and both Dave King and Reid Anderson have composed favorites of mine.

If anyone needs more reading material, here's some background about their last album that seems to peer into the essence of the group (http://thebadplus.typepad.com/dothemath/2007/11/the-making-of-p.html)