The influential jazz group The Bad Plus will officially come to an end in 2026, closing a 26-year run marked by constant reinvention and a strong independent spirit. Founding members Reid Anderson on bass and Dave King on drums confirmed that the band will spend its final year performing a farewell tour before disbanding.
Formed in Minneapolis in 2000, the group first gained attention as a piano trio known for reshaping modern jazz and reworking unexpected material. Over the years, the lineup evolved, moving beyond the trio format and exploring new sounds with different collaborators. Each phase reflected a deliberate choice to keep the project moving forward rather than settling into a fixed identity.
The farewell tour will include performances in North America and Europe, featuring the current lineup as well as special shows highlighting music that has been important to the band’s history. Anderson and King described the decision as thoughtful and intentional, saying the time felt right to bring the project to a close.
The final tour offers audiences a last chance to experience a group that consistently challenged expectations while staying grounded in jazz tradition.