Spotlight: The Bad Plus

Wednesday-Saturday: Unlike other nationally renowned, locally rooted bands that perform in town this time every year, the Bad Plus always has a new album to promote. The daring but rarely indulgent jazz trio -- drummer Dave King, bassist Reid Anderson and pianist Ethan Iverson -- has steadily churned out four albums since its acclaimed 2003 debut, "These Are the Vistas." The latest, "Prog," was its first recording without Columbia Records and producer Tchad Blake, and the guys didn't miss a beat. Actually, they did tone down the heavy beats a bit to craft some of their most elegant tunes yet, but it's a killer disc nonetheless. With eight shows scheduled over four nights this week, the trio could be entertainingly stretched to the limits. If it has any. (7 & 9:30 p.m. Wed.-Sat. $28-$40. Dakota Jazz Club, 1010 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-332-1010.)