Jazz Articles about The Bad Plus

like 181

The Bad Plus: These are the Vistas

by C. Michael Bailey
March 1, 2003

Blasting out of the heartland, the Bad Plus spills onto the jazz landscape like strong waters, cleansing the palette of the recent barrage of jazz jam bands. Billed as the “loudest Jazz Piano Trio," the Bad Plus consists of bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer David King.

Their music is compelling for two reasons. One, the covers (or standards, if you will) are contemporary pop. The band gives an acid postmodern treatment to Nirvana's “Smells like Teen Spirit," ...

like 316

The Bad Plus: These Are the Vistas

by Paul Abella
February 14, 2003

At first glance, this doesn't look like a jazz record, with that big picture of what might be a robot on the front--and three thugs on the back looking like they just stepped out of the garage. But look closer.

The Bad Plus is one of the most unique piano trios you are ever likely to hear. Ethan Iverson uses some very interesting chordal voices on These Are the Vistas. Reid Anderson rarely walks anywhere on the album, ...

like 184

The Bad Plus: These are the Vistas

by Jeff Stockton
February 4, 2003

Sure, the Bad Plus is a piano trio. Just a modern take on one. On These Are The Vistas, the group's major label debut, these three players present a decidedly more contemporary vision of the concept. “Big Eater" begins ominously, before its disjointed beat turns martial. Drummer Dave King's attack is alternately aggressive, delicate, and swinging. Contrast this with Ethan Iverson, whose piano most often shimmers, but rumbles when called for. Join the two with Reid Anderson's steady bass that ...