The Dakota presents The Bad Plus joined by Wendy Lewis CD Release (at The Cedar)

For the better part of a decade, the progressive jazz trio known as The Bad Plus have been stirring up a musical stew that defies easy description. Drawing on sources as diverse as classical, jazz, rock, pop and beyond, they have created a singular aesthetic that forces even the most skeptical listener to rethink the commonly held notions of what differentiates one style of music from another.

Following the release of Prog, described by Billboard as “easily the most likable and listenable jazz album of 2007,” the trio wanted to try some new ideas and broaden their musical concept. To that end, bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson and drummer David King took a giant step forward with the February 3, 2009, release of For All I Care (Heads Up International).

A mix of highly familiar rock and pop pieces alongside some not-so-familiar 20th century classical compositions, For All I Care represents the band’s egalitarian approach to all forms of music, regardless of source, genre or style. To their way of thinking, quality and integrity can be found at any point along the continuum.

“The 20th century is filled with music by great composers, but it’s a mistake to assume that all of those composers are limited to classical or jazz or other types of music that are commonly considered to be ‘high art,’” says Iverson. “There were rock and pop songwriters of that same period whose work was just as significant as the work of the classical composers. They’re all part of a continuum of great music, and as such, they’re all worthy of recognition and respect. That’s what this record is about – recognizing the value of every aspect of 20th century music, regardless of the genres in which their composers specialized.”

The album also marks the first Bad Plus recording to include a guest vocalist as the fourth instrument in its sonic arsenal. Wendy Lewis, a longtime associate of The Plus and a fixture in the Minneapolis alt rock scene, steps in and takes the trio’s ongoing experimental ride to a new level of exploration and sophistication.

Tickets are on sale now from the Cedar Ticketline (612-338-2674 ext 2), Cedar outlets, and online at Ticketweb.