In a move that has left jazz fans around the world reflecting on more than two decades of fearless creativity, The Bad Plus announces plans to end its run in 2025, bringing one of modern jazz’s most adventurous stories to a close. The influential group, known for refusing to stay inside any single genre, revealed that it will officially disband after wrapping up its final touring cycle, ending a remarkable 26-year journey.
Founding members Reid Anderson on bass and Dave King on drums shared the news in a heartfelt joint statement, explaining that the decision followed “a great deal of soul searching.” Although they admitted the choice was made with heavy hearts, both musicians expressed deep pride in what the band achieved together, including 16 studio albums that reshaped how jazz could sound and feel. They also thanked listeners who followed the group’s evolving vision from its earliest days.
The Bad Plus was formed in Minneapolis in 2000 alongside pianist Ethan Iverson, and it didn’t take long for the trio to become a standout force. Their breakthrough album, These Are the Vistas (2003), shocked and delighted audiences by blending avant-garde jazz with the energy of rock and even punk. Bold reinterpretations of songs by Nirvana, Aphex Twin, and Blondie sat comfortably next to original compositions, helping the band reach fans far beyond traditional jazz circles.
Over the years, the group went through several creative transformations. Iverson departed in 2017, with Orrin Evans stepping in on piano a year later. Then, in 2021, Anderson and King made another daring move by reinventing The Bad Plus as a piano-less quartet, adding guitarist Ben Monder and saxophonist Chris Speed. That lineup produced the self-titled The Bad Plus in 2022 and Complex Emotions in 2024, further proving the band’s refusal to stand still.
Commercially and critically, their influence was just as strong. The Bad Plus frequently appeared near the top of Billboard’s jazz charts, with many albums debuting in the Top 10. Made Possible reached No. 1 on the Traditional Jazz Albums chart in 2012, while releases like Give, Never Stop, and These Are the Vistas all enjoyed impressive chart runs. Even later records such as Inevitable Western, It’s Hard, and Activate Infinity continued to draw strong listener support.
To mark the end of their journey, the band has planned two special touring projects. The current quartet will tour North America, including a residency at Jazz St. Louis, a headline show at The Blue Note in Columbia, Missouri, and an appearance at the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal, with more dates to be announced.
At the same time, Anderson and King will join pianist Craig Taborn and saxophonist Chris Potter for a tribute to Keith Jarrett’s legendary American Quartet. That project will begin in Lexington, Kentucky, before heading across Europe and the UK.
As The Bad Plus announces plans to end its run in 2025, fans are being given one final chance to experience a band that spent more than two decades proving that jazz can be as daring, loud, and emotionally raw as any other music on the planet.
