Happy Apple

Happy Apple
OriginMinneapolis, Minnesota
GenresJazz
Years active1996–present
LabelsSunnyside
Members
Past members
  • Anton Denner
  • Cully Swansen
Websitewww.happyapplemusic.com
Part of the Solutionproblem
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AllMusic[1]
Body Popping Moon Walking Top Rocking
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AllMusic[1]
Please Refrain from Fronting
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AllMusic[1]
Youth Oriented
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AllMusic[1]
The Peace Between Our Companies
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AllMusic[1]

Happy Apple is an American jazz trio from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Initially formed in 1996 by David King (drums), Michael Lewis (saxophone), Anton Denner (saxophone) and Cully Swansen (bass), since 1998 the lineup has consisted of King, Lewis, and bass guitarist Erik Fratzke.[2]

All three members compose music for the group,[2] which places equal emphasis on improvisation. Happy Apple plays a brand of jazz music drawing on several other genres; the group's members play in other bands ranging from indie rock and heavy metal to free jazz and electronic. The best known of these is The Bad Plus, in which King also plays drums.

The name Happy Apple comes from a Fisher-Price toy from the 1970s which King often uses as an auxiliary percussion instrument.

  1. ^ a b c d e Leggett, Steve. "Happy Apple - Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved 2023-05-29.
  2. ^ a b DiPietro, Phil. "What Part of the Solution Problem Don't You Understand? Happy Apple bassman Erik Fratzke Refrains From Fronting". All About Jazz. Archived from the original on 2010-01-16. Retrieved 2010-06-19.