When they began creating their mélange of avant-jazz improv and in-the-pocket grooves, it wasn’t as if they were intentionally heading toward jam-band land. But that’s where keyboardist John Medeski, drummer Billy Martin and bassist Chris Wood found themselves somewhere in the Phish-dominated ’90s, thanks to their performances with that band — and, perhaps, their propensity toward skipping out of New York to practice in their Maui “shack.” Another factor could have been John Medeski’s early decision to ditch his grand piano for a Hammond B-3 — because it’s easier to tour with (but not by much.) Other ’90s collaborations resulted in a hookup with DJ Logic, who became a de facto fourth band member, and more recently, jazz guitarist John Scofield. In 2006, Wood and his brother, Oliver, of the blues band King Johnson, formed a side project that yielded the Medeski-produced Ways Not to Lose. The Wood Brothers (also appearing at this year’s ACL Festival) followed that up last year with Loaded. Last year also saw the release of Medeski, Martin & Wood’s Let’s Go Everywhere.