40+ years of the yellowjackets
- In 1977, guitarist Robben Ford recruited keyboardist Russell Ferrante, electric bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson as the backup band for his first solo album. The band had compiled a list of potential group names and Warner Bros. Records producer Tony Lipuma chose the name "Yellowjackets". In 1981, their self-titled debut album reached No. 16 on the Billboard Jazz charts.
- Ford soon left the group after contributing to their sophomore release, “Mirage a Trois” in 1983. The album reached #7 and was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Jazz Fusion Performance in 1984. Their next album releases included saxophonist Marc Russo, and also featured singers Bobby Caldwell and Marilyn Scott. “Daddy's Gonna Miss You” off the album ‘Samurai Samba’ received numerous airplay on contemporary R&B radio stations in the mid-80’s. The track, "And You Know That" off the 1986 album ‘Shades’ won a Grammy for Best R&B Instrumental Performance.
- In 1987, William Kennedy replaced Ricky Lawson on drums with the release “Four Corners”. Meanwhile, smooth jazz formats began to pop up nationwide, and the group continued to gain popularity. Their next three albums, “…Corners”, “Politics”, and “The Spin” all received Grammy nominations for Best Jazz Fusion Performance.
- In 1986, the group contributed to the motion picture soundtrack of the sci-fi film, “Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home” with the tune, ‘Balla of the Whale’. Russo left the band in 1990, with Bob Mintzer replacing him on the album “Greenhouse”, which reached # 1 on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Album chart. In all, the group released more than 30 albums, with 17 nominated for Grammys, winning two.
- The Yellowjackets celebrated their 30th anniversary in 2011 with the album “Timeline”. When Haslip took an extended hiatus, he was replaced by Felix Pastorius (son of bassist Jaco Pastorius.) The band released the album, “A Rise in the Road” with Pastorius. On some of the songs, Pastorius played the fretless bass guitar made famous by his father. Haslip officially left the band in 2012, leaving Ferrante as the remaining original member.
- The current lineup of Yellowjackets consists of Ferrante, Minter, Kennedy and Australian-born bassist, Dane Alderson. Their most recent album is entitled, “Fasten Up” on the Mack Avenue Record label, and they’re currently on a North American tour.
- For more on the group, go to yellowjackets.com.
| 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|
Vincent Ingala - January 2024 |
Randy Scott - January 2025 |
Adam Hawley - February 2024 |
Brooke Alford -February 2025 |
Norah Jones - March 2024 |
Roberta Flack - March 2025 |
Geoge Benson - April 2024 |
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Lizz Wright - May 2024 |
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Bluey & Angela Bofill - June 2024 |
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Blake Aaron - July 2024 |
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Gail Jhonson - August 2024 |
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Michael Lington and Sergio Mendes - September 2024 |
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Spyro Gyra - October 2024 |
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Chris "Big Dog" Davis - November 2024 |
2023 |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
| David Sanborn - January 2023 | Paul Taylor - January 2022 | Lee Ritenour - January 2021 | Pat Metheny - January 2020 | Najee - January 2019 | |
| Everything But The Girl - February 2023 | Rick Braun - February 2022 | Richard Elliot - February 2021 | Joyce Cooling - February 2020 | James Ingram - February 2019 | Jeff Lorber - February 2018 |
| Will Downing & Bobby Caldwell - March 2022 | David Benoit - March 2022 | Jazmin Ghent - March 2021 | Dave Grusin - March 2020 | Norman Brown - March 2019 | Threestyle - March 2018 |
| Quincy Jones - April 2023 | Champian Fulton - April 2022 | Chick Corea - April 2021 | Billie Holiday - April 2020 | Duke Ellington - April 2019 | Paula Atherton - April 2018 |
| Eric Marienthal - May 2023 | Steve Cole - May 2022 | Herb Alpert - May 2021 | Nils - May 2020 | Keiko Matsui - May 2019 | Bob Baldwin - May 2018 |
| Carol Albert - June 2023 | Cindy Bradley - June 2022 | Cal Harris Jr. - June 2021 | Euge Groove - June 2020 | Four80East - June 2019 | Jessy J - June 2018 |
| Philippe Saisse - July 2023 | Pieces of a Dream - July 2022 | Lin Rountree - July 2021 | Ken Navarro - July 2020 | Paul Hardcastle - July 2019 | Lindsey Webster - July 2018 |
| Chris Standring - August 2023 | Snarky Puppy - August 2022 | Bob James - August 2021 | WaKaNa - August 2020 | Kim Scott - August 2019 | Brian Culbertson - August 2018 |
| Andy Snitzer - September 2023 | Jeanette Harris - September 2022 | Brian Simpson - September 2021 | Ben Tankard - September 2020 | Earl Carter - September 2019 | Grace Kelly - September 2018 |
| Chris Botti - October 2023 | Ramsey Lewis - October 2022 | Nick Colionne - October 2021 | Mindi Abair - October 2020 | Miles Davis - October 2019 | Chuck Loeb - October 2018 |
| Kenny G - November 2023 | Candy Dulfer - November 2022 | Gerald Albright - November 2021 | Melody Gardot - November 2020 | Kirk Whalum - November 2019 | Boney James - November 2018 |
