Medeski Martin & Wood.

Twenty years have passed since the three members of Medeski Martin & Wood came together and formed a band. Their debut release, 1992’s Notes from the Underground, is an improvisational tour de force and marked a start to an unpredictable career that defies category. Looking back, it is just another example of how the early ’90s seemed to be an incredibly fertile period in music, regardless of genre. Whether it would be possible for an instrumentalband starting out today to have a similar trajectory is an open question, but one that drummer Billy Martin does not spend much time pondering.

“There’s always space to have breakthroughs. I just don’t think it’s going to happen in our shoes or following in our footsteps,” said Martin during a recent interview with DCist. “One thing that works is to get in front of people and to get out and tour. There’s always something really special about that.”

The trio’s explorations have led to gigs at jam band and jazz festivals, with material drawing from the avant-garde to James Brown-inspired funk. While the group’s style is in a constant state of flux, but the more things change, the more they stay the same.

“We’re always changing and evolving as we go along and we’re always experimenting,” said Martin. “In some ways, it’s the same because we have a chemistry that is our own and that chemistry has pretty much been consistent.”

The three musicians are also as prolific as ever. They all collaborate with other artists and use MMW as a home base where they are free to apply the knowledge and influences they gain from outside projects. Bassist Chris Wood and his brother Oliver formed The Wood Brothers and have been performing regularly. Keyboardist John Medeski is an in-demand producer, has played with a number of different bandleaders and has started several of his own groups. Martin started Wicked Knee, which puts a spin on the traditional brass band. This open door policy has led to the band spending less time together, but has also made that time more special.

“My love for these guys has grown,” said Martin. “I’m more grateful than ever to be playing with them.”

MMW, which will perform on Thursday night at the 9:30 Club, has not recorded as a group since they released the three-album Radiolarian Series in 2008 and 2009. The concept behind that series was that the band wrote new material for each of three legs on its 2008 tour, and only recorded the material after a given leg was completed. Though there are no new recordings to support, they are adding a twist for their next three shows by collaborating with opening band, Antibalas, a 12-piece afrobeat ensemble out of Brooklyn. Each band will play a full set, and then the two will come together for a third set. Our interview took place prior to rehearsals, but Martin had high expectations for the experiment.

“It’s going to be a full big sound that is going to be rhythmically tight,” he said. “It’s going to be interesting to see what comes out of it.”

Medeski Martin & Wood and opener Antibalas will perform at the 9:30 Club on Thursday, October 27, 2011. 7 p.m. doors. $30 + fees.