You'll Want to Run Toward These Yellowjackets

The critcally-acclaimed Yellowjackets kicked off the first live performance at Jazz at the Bistro (or as I like to call it, Jazz St. Louis) last night to a virtually sold-out crowd despite the Cardinals/Dodgers game at the same time. And they didn’t disappoint.

The music ranges from straight forward to avant garde, but always approachable as they weave familiar tunes frequently into the construct of the number. The band has been coming to St. Louis for more than 20 years so the regulars in the crowd knew the band and the music well. While many shows are sold out, the second performance on Friday and Saturday at 9:30 PM, and the Sunday at 6:30 PM should not be missed. Click here for tickets.

Throughout their storied 43-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 25 albums, received 17 Grammy® nominations – won 2 – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success.

The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording, however, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result, the modern day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since then, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups.

Over the years the band has undergone numerous lineup changes. Never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment, the Yellowjackets - Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy, Bob Mintzer - have maintained an extraordinarily high quality of musicianship that is the rival of many but a surprise to no one who knows and appreciates the band and their music.

The most recent addition to the band adds Australian bass player Dane Alderson in to the mix. With his exceptional rhythmic sensibility and natural disposition toward groove, Dane brings a new energy to the band and adds a youthful approach to the music. He solos were unique, his skills virtuoso, and his rhythmic stepping/dancing made him the crowd favorite. For me, he stole the show.

HISTORY OF THE BAND

In 1977, Robben Ford assembled a group of veteran session musicians to record his album The Inside Story. The trio of musicians, which included keyboardist Russell Ferrante, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson, soon discovered a certain “chemistry” and musical affinity that led to their formation of Yellowjackets. The Inside Story being mainly instrumental, Robben Ford’s record label wanted him to record another album that was more pop and vocal oriented. The group, known as the Robben Ford Group, preferred to pursue the instrumental route, and a “band within a band” was formed. This same group with Robben Ford on guitar recorded digital demos that were eventually accepted by Warner Brothers, and Yellowjackets was born. While Robben’s contributions would diminish over the years to being a guest artist, the group known as Yellowjackets would flourish.

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WHAT’S IN A NAME

If you’re expecting something cute or meaningful in the naming of the group, you may be disappointed. Russell Ferrante relates the following on how the group’s name was chosen: “I wish there was a clever rationale, but there really isn’t. At the time we were making our demo in hopes of landing a recording contract, we were still the “Robben Ford Band”. We had recorded one record with Robben, (primarily instrumental) but his record company was “encouraging” him do do something more pop and vocal oriented. As we also wanted to continue playing instrumental music, we all decided to form a “band within a band” so to speak. At the demo session Jimmy brought in a sheet full of possible names, most just awful. The one that popped out was Yellowjackets as it seemed to connotate something lively, energetic, and something with a “sting”. That’s really about as deep as it went. Once you choose a name, you’re stuck with it so here we are, 16 years later, grown men playing in a band named ‘Yellowjackets.'”