1. The Bad Plus

-Where: Jazz at the Bistro
-When: Wednesday, Jan 5th – Saturday, Jan 8th (8:30 PM and 10:15 PM)
-How Much: $30 – $35, $15 for students
-Why: The Bad Plus at Jazz at the Bistro is becoming a post New Year’s tradition.  What better way to start of 2011 than with some edgy, complex jazz with slight rock undertones?

2. Designer Drugs w/ Cor(e)yography and Andy Mon$y
-Where: 2720 Cherokee
-How Much: $12 adv / $15 doors (18+, $3 minor surcharge)
-When: Friday, January 7th @ 9 PM
-Why: Besides an awesome cyberpunk reference, Designer Drugs’ has hard hitting dance music that should keep 2720 moving ’till its 3 AM close.

3. Old Lights w/ Pretty Little Empire, Magic City, and Benjamin Riley
-Where: Off Broadway
-When: Tuesday, January 11th @ 9 PM
-How Much: $8 (21+)/$11 (under 21) adv / $10 (21+)/$13 (under 21) doors
-Why: A solid local lineup, and make sure to arrive early to catch the excellent but lesser-known Magic City and Benjamin Riley.

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The tattoos on drummer David King’s arms were a direct giveaway – the Bad Plus wasn’t your run-of-the-mill jazz trio.  The group brought their distinct formula of classical music with tinges of rock and pop influences to satisfy an eager crowd at Jazz at the Bistro.  The group played two sets, mostly filled with original pieces, which varied from slow and methodical to straight-out spastic.

Originality and playfulness permeate the Bad Plus’ material – even reaching the song titles themselves.  Pianist Ethan Iverson introduced the piece “Rhinoceros is my Profession” by sharing that the Bad Plus is against bull fighting, and the group followed with a composition titled “Bill Hickman at Home” (Hickman was a stunt driver, famous for the Bullitt chase scene).  But, when putting the plodding cadence of the latter piece in context with its title, the theme really shined – and, the technical piano and bass interlude was a sure audience pleaser.

Another standout piece from the Bad Plus’ concert was their rendition of “Metal” by György Ligeti, which felt like a toned down math-rock riff transcribed to piano and upright bass.  The technical aptitude of the trio was found in their most complicated compositions, and King’s diverse and jittery drumming styles kept Iverson and bassist Reed Anderson on their toes.  From the resounding applause at the culmination of their set, there was no doubt that the Bad Plus delivered on all counts.

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