Badbadnotgood play old school jazz fusion with new school hip hop attitude. The group’s polyrhythmic pulse and swinging swagger come courtesy of drummer Alexander Sowinski, who splashes and rolls all over his kit to bring songs dynamically to life. Bassist Chester Hansen always impresses with his virtuosic chops, hammering out moody motifs and rapid-fire runs. Keyboardist Matthew Tavares creates a cerebral, stormy atmosphere with a cyclone of notes and spiraling melodies. After releasing phenomenal original material and backing up other artists like Ghostface Killah and Frank Ocean, Badbadnotgood have earned the street cred to match their insane instrumental skills, delighting ticket buyers whenever they take their majestic compositions on tour.

BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:

The three prodigious young musicians in Badbadnotgood first met at Humber College’s jazz program in Toronto, Canada in 2010. United by their love of hip hop groups like MF DOOM and Odd Future, Matthew Tavares (keys), Chester Hansen (bass), and Alexander Sowinski (drums) started covering rap songs in their daring jazz fusion style. After releasing their 2011 debut BBNG, the group caught the attention of rapper Tyler, the Creator who helped spread word of the band and released one of their improvisational concerts on YouTube. Following this viral success, the group returned with their 2012 sophomore album BBNGII and was named Coachella’s band in residence the same year, accompanying notables like Frank Ocean. In 2015 the group released the collaborative album Sour Soul with Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah, receiving wide-spread critical acclaim for their ability to push the veteran rapper into fertile new territory. Badbadnotgood remains a force to be reckoned with in their live performances, advancing their mastery of jazz fusion both as a standalone unit and as a backing band for some of the most prominent rappers of today.