The Bad Plus (l-r): Ethan Iverson, Reid Anderson, Dave King, photo by Michael DvorakWhile the concept of a band as a regularly working unit is central to rock music, that is not the case in jazz. Most groups operate under the name of the leader, and personnel are always shifting. It’s no wonder then that many of the most celebrated jazz groups are those that spent a serious amount of time recording and touring together, whether it be Ellington’s big band, either of Miles Davis’s great quintets, or more recent ensembles like that of Branford Marsalis.
The Bad Plus is also one such group, and the tight lineup of pianist Ethan Iverson, drummer Dave King, and bassist Reid Anderson has become one of the most innovative and popular jazz groups of the past decade. The band will be in town on Tuesday night to perform at the Barns of Wolf Trap.
“The band’s ethos is simply ‘be a band!’ No leaders, let it go,” said Iverson in a recent interview with DCist.
All midwesterners, the three came together for what was supposed to be a one-off gig in 2000. After just three shows, the band recorded its debut, a self-titled release. The success of subsequent live performances led to a contract with Columbia records, the label on which the band has put out five albums. The most recent, 2009’s For All I Care, was a bit of a departure for the group in that the record featured a vocalist.
