The Bad Plus Announces Upcoming Lineup Change & New Album

Minneapolis-based jazz trio The Bad Plus have announced an upcoming change to their lineup. Founding pianist Ethan Iverson will step down from the band at the end of the year. Pianist Orrin Evans will join the band in the studio this fall to record an album due out in 2018.

Fellow founding members, bassist Reid Anderson and drummer Dave King, issued It’s Hard with Iverson last year. The original trio will continue to tour in support of the covers album throughout 2017, culminating with Iverson’s final performance on New Year’s Eve in New York City.

Having established a relationship with the members of The Bad Plus many years ago, Evans was specifically selected by the group to take over for Iverson. A tour featuring the revamped lineup is expected next year to support the pending new LP. Here’s the band’s statement regarding Iverson’s exit:

A message from The Bad Plus to our fans and followers: We will soon begin an exciting new chapter in our life as a band. As of January 1, 2018, The Bad Plus will consist of founding members Reid Anderson (bass) and Dave King (drums) and new member Orrin Evans (piano). Original pianist Ethan Iverson will finish out the 2017 touring schedule in support of the album It’s Hard, culminating in a New Year’s Eve gig at the Village Vanguard in New York City.

The Bad Plus have always been a band in the truest sense — a group of passionate collaborators with no single “leader”. That spirit will continue in full-force as we welcome Orrin into the group. This is not an act of replacement; no tryouts were held. We’ve known and respected Orrin as a musician and as a person for longer than The Bad Plus has existed. His heart and and his talents are simply a perfect match to continue our trajectory.

A brand-new album featuring the refreshed lineup will be recorded this fall for release in 2018, with a supporting tour cycle to follow. The Bad Plus’ extensive songbook will continue to be represented at shows. We remain grateful to our supporters and invite you along with new listeners to be an integral part of our evolution and the exciting music it’s sure to deliver.