Jazz on the Grove

Forget categories and catch phrases - the sound of The Bad Plus is distinctive, eclectic and formidable.

The Bad Plus have exploded all notions of what a jazz piano trio should sound like - whether at outdoor rock festivals, jazz clubs or symphony halls.

The Los Angeles Times ranked the trio "among the leaders of what might be called the Nu Jazz movement." Newsweek declared their 2005 release Suspicious Activity? to be "among the freshest sounding albums of the year." And according to Rolling Stone, "By any standard, jazz or otherwise, this is mighty, moving music ... hot players with hard-rock hearts." In short, a diverse array of music lovers has been seduced by The Bad Plus and their earnest, dizzying musicianship.

The Bad Plus joins forces with Heads Up International for the May 2007 release of Prog. Co-helmed by veteran UK producer Tony Platt (Bob Marley, AC/DC), the disc showcases six singularly original compositions alongside crackling takes on Tears For Fears, Burt Bacharach, David Bowie and Rush. In the studio as well as onstage, The Bad Plus proudly foregoes convention in favor of curiosity and craftsmanship - recognizing and respecting the rules while ripping them to shreds.