The Bad Plus Bill Frisell ’85–’95

“Frisell is not only a master of unusual guitar-based sonic tapestry, he’s one of the few composers capable of writing for an interactive ensemble.”—Philadelphia Inquirer

This special collaboration brings together jazz luminaries Bill Frisell and The Bad Plus—and Columbus is one of only four cities where it will take place.

As aspiring young musicians in the 1980s, bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, and drummer Dave King—later to become The Bad Plus—would regularly soak up live concerts by the latest jazz innovators on the scene at Walker Art Center in Minneapolis. A featured artist they heard there often, Bill Frisell was already forging a fresh and evocative approach to both composition and the guitar that would dazzle these future stars with its dynamic interplay and melodic grace.

The music Frisell performed in that decade of 1985–95, featured on such classic albums as Lookout for Hope (1987, ECM), Is That You? (1990, Nonesuch), and Have a Little Faith (1992, Nonesuch), serves as the inspiration for this joint effort, a major highlight of our jazz season. Both Frisell and The Bad Plus have separately sold out shows here at the Wex, so don’t delay in purchasing your ticket to see them join forces at Lincoln Theatre.

The performance of The Bad Plus with guest artist Bill Frisell, presented in collaboration with Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, Illinois, and Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, is supported by Presenter Consortium for Jazz, a program of Chamber Music America funded through the generosity of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.