Yellowjackets

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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.
Their debut album Yellowjackets made serious waves in jazz radio, garnering public and critical acclaim. Mirage A Trois followed in its footsteps. While they went on a brief hiatus to pursue other projects, they reassembled in time for the 1984 Playboy Jazz Festival, adding percussionist Paulinho Da Costa and their new lead voice, sax man Marc Russo. This landmark concert paved the way for their eventual success both on the Billboard Jazz charts and concert venues around the world, and resulted in the third spicy Yellowjackets album Samurai Samba. 1986 saw the group moving over to MCA Records to record Shades, the title track being written by Donald Fagen (of Steely Dan fame) as a tribute to the many “shades” he heard in the group’s music.
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  • Samurai Samba
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  • Timeline
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  • Mint Jam
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  • Four Corners
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Top Tracks

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  • VillaFuzz

    <3

    February 2012
  • lucibs

    fantásticos em Rio das Ostras!

    July 2011
  • Erikmar

    I can´t wait till friday i will see them!!

    October 2010
  • rainlvr1

    Love the Yellowjackets....try Savanna, Tortoise and the Hare and Priscilla...and the many more where those came from. Turn it up so you can vibe on every note!

    July 2010
  • Goobberzz

    amazing stuff right here

    February 2010
  • Uchot

    which album is the best?

    February 2010
  • FunkyStickman

    Been listening to the Yellowjackets for years, Mintzer's sound heavily influenced the way I play sax today... the man is phenomenal, not to mention the rest of the band. Well worth a listen to anybody who wants to know what a top-notch jazz fusion group should sound like.

    January 2010
  • Bram_F.

    Mind-blowing

    December 2009
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