Happy Apple

Happy Apple is a Minneapolis-born experimental jazz trio that’s been bending genres since their formation in the mid-1990s. The band features saxophonist Michael Lewis (known for his work with Bon Iver and Andrew Bird), bassist Erik Fratzke (Zebulon Pike), and drummer David King (of The Bad Plus fame). Mixing avant-garde jazz with punk energy, math-rock precision, and playful spontaneity, they’ve built a cult following through albums like *Happy Apple Back On Top* and *Body Popping - Moon Walking - Top Rocking*. Their releases, including *Please Refrain From Fronting* and *The Peace Between Our Companies*, showcase their signature blend of cerebral complexity and fist-pumping grooves that defies easy categorization.

Known for electrifying live shows that feel equal parts jazz club session and rock concert, Happy Apple has remained a staple of the Midwest creative music scene while touring internationally. Their later work, like *Youth Oriented* and *Part Of The Solutionproblem*, continues their tradition of balancing sharp-witted experimentation with raw, physical improvisation—a sound that’s inspired both jazz purists and indie rock fans. With David King’s Bad Plus connection often drawing crossover attention, the trio maintains a rebellious spirit that keeps their music joyfully unpredictable decades into their career.

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