After more than a quarter-century of redefining the boundaries of contemporary jazz, the pioneering ensemble The Bad Plus has announced it will disband in 2026. This conclusion marks the end of a 26-year odyssey defined by fearless experimentation and a refusal to be pigeonholed by tradition.
Founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) revealed the news in a joint statement, explaining that the choice was the result of “a great deal of soul searching.” While expressing that the decision comes with “heavy hearts,” the duo took a moment to celebrate the band’s extensive legacy—which includes 16 studio albums—and the profound personal impact of their collaborative journey. “It has been a privilege to share our music with the world,” they noted, offering gratitude to the fans who supported their evolving sound.
The Bad Plus first emerged from Minneapolis in 2000, originally featuring pianist Ethan Iverson. They quickly established themselves as a disruptive force in the jazz world. Their 2003 major-label debut, These Are the Vistas, became a cultural touchstone by blending avant-garde technique with the raw energy of rock. By deconstructing tracks from Nirvana, Aphex Twin, and Blondie alongside sophisticated original compositions, the trio successfully courted audiences far beyond the typical jazz circuit.
The group’s trajectory was marked by several distinct eras. Following Iverson’s departure in 2017, pianist Orrin Evans stepped in for a productive three-year stint. In a characteristically bold move in 2021, Anderson and King reinvented the band as a piano-less quartet, recruiting guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed. This lineup produced the critically acclaimed self-titled album in 2022 and 2024’s Complex Emotions.
Throughout their career, The Bad Plus remained a mainstay on the Billboard charts, with the majority of their discography debuting in the Top 10. Notable milestones include the No. 1 Traditional Jazz hit Made Possible (2012), as well as high-charting releases like Give (2004), Never Stop (2010), and It’s Hard (2016). Their ability to maintain commercial relevance while pursuing uncompromising artistic goals set them apart from their peers.
True to their tireless work ethic, the band will conclude their run with two parallel touring projects. The current quartet is scheduled for North American engagements, including a residency at Jazz St. Louis (Jan. 14–18), a headline appearance at The Blue Note in Columbia, MO (Jan. 21), and a featured set at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (June 26), with further dates expected to be announced.
Simultaneously, Anderson and King will collaborate with pianist Craig Taborn and saxophonist Chris Potter for a high-profile tribute to Keith Jarrett’s American Quartet. That ensemble will launch on March 3 in Lexington, KY, before crossing the Atlantic for a European tour beginning at Italy’s Bergamo Jazz Festival on March 21.
