The Bus recently pulled into the historic Bluebird Theater in Denver's buzzing East Colfax neighborhood to see an amazing show with the storied band, The Bad Plus at the amazing Bluebird Theater on East Colfax in Denver. With over two decades of storied history and contributions to the jazz canon, The Bad Plus, now a quartet with a guitar in place of keys, were featuring songs mostly off their new album, self titled, The Bad Plus (great review here).
The crowd was tuned in for every moment and showed the respect from start to finish that this great Minneapolis band deserves. With influences combining elements of modern avant-garde jazz with rock and pop, drummer and band founder, Dave King, provided a nonstop powerful take on his traditional jazz kit. Reid Anderson (bass), Ben Monder (guitar) and Chris Speed (tenor saxophone, clarinet) all proved they are in the top rung of today's jazz artists and performers.
Warming up was local Denver band Photon who proved they can hang with the best - from a great review in Live for Live Music: "Newly born out of Denver’s eclectic live music community, Photon draws sounds from both dancey electronic music as well as 70s era funk and fusion like Herbie Hancock, Weather Report, and Mahavishnu Orchestra. Comprised of Jimmy Dunstan (YAMN), Dan Africano (John Brown’s Body), and Neal Evans (Dopapod), the trio explores the live improvisational styles of rock and space similar to The New Deal, Tycho, and Medeski, Martin, and Wood, and have played throughout Colorado’s ever-growing music scene with ShwizZ, Banshee Tree, and Mr. Specific." (read the full review here).
Big thanks to my buddy Erik for turning me on to the Bad Plus, a great night was had by all! Next up: DOMI and JD Beck at Cervantes' Masterpiece Ballroom at the end of October, look for the review and some video highlights to come.
DJ Mateo out...
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