The Bad Plus live in Chicago

Experience The Bad Plus live on October 4th

The Bad Plus will perform at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago, Illinois on October 4, 2026. The Bad Plus is a jazz trio known for its unconventional approach to the genre, incorporating elements of rock, pop, and classical music into their interpretations of both original compositions and covers. Formed in Minneapolis in 2000, the group initially gained recognition for their deconstructed renditions of popular songs by artists like Nirvana and Blondie alongside original material. Their instrumentation consists of piano, bass, and drums, and they are characterized by dynamic interplay and a strong emphasis on melodic development.

The Old Town School of Folk Music is a non-profit community music school established in 1957. Originally founded as a guitar workshop in the basement of the Evangelical Valparaiso University Church, it grew from a small gathering of enthusiasts to become one of the largest and most respected schools of its kind in the United States. The school offers instruction in a wide variety of traditional and contemporary musical styles – including blues, jazz, folk, country, and world music – alongside performance spaces that host concerts by established and emerging artists. Its mission centers around music education and community building through music.