Ethan Iverson, piano; Reid Anderson, bass; David King, drums

Forget categories and catch phrases – the sound of The Bad Plus is distinctive, eclectic, and formidable. The group dug its roots in the wood-paneled, sump-pumped basements of the Midwest. Drummer David King and bassist Reid Anderson hooked up as teens in their native Minnesota, bouncing between junior high rock bands and long nights listening to John Coltrane and The Police. Soon after, Anderson met Wisconsin-reared pianist Ethan Iverson and formed an alliance – sort of. The threesome played for the first time in 1990, then went their separate ways for the better part of the decade. Thrilled by the instant chemistry from a one-off club date in Minneapolis in 2000, the group decided to make a recording, which was hailed by the New York Times as one of 2001's best releases of the year. The Bad Plus have exploded all notions of what a jazz piano trio should sound like, proudly recognizing and respecting the rules while ripping them to shreds. “It's about as badass as highbrow gets,” says Rolling Stone.