Toronto-based jazz ensemble BadBadNotGood blurs genre boundaries with their eclectic mix of '70s soul-jazz, alternative hip-hop, and experimental electronica. The group, formed in 2010 by Matthew Tavares, Chester Hansen, and Alexander Sowinski while studying at Humber College, garnered attention with jazz covers of tracks by artists like Odd Future and MF Doom. Their discography includes albums like BBNG and BBNG2, which feature reinterpretations of songs by A Tribe Called Quest and Kanye West, leading to commercial success with III and collaborations like IV with artists such as Samuel T. Herring and Colin Stetson.
BadBadNotGood's dynamic journey continued with albums like Talk Memory and collaborative projects with Jonah Yano, exploring new influences and soundscapes. The departure of Tavares in 2019 did not hinder their creativity, as seen in their innovative work like the haunting EP Slow Burn and the all-instrumental album Mid Spiral in 2024, showcasing their ability to push boundaries and collaborate with a diverse range of musicians to create unique, genre-defying music.
