Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets established themselves as a premier crossover jazz ensemble by merging sleek funk and R&B grooves with an assertive sound rooted in post-bop and fusion traditions. Formed initially as a showcase for guitarist Robben Ford, who exited in 1983, the band achieved visibility in the early 1980s and contributed to shaping smooth jazz alongside Spyro Gyra, the Rippings, and Special EFX. Beyond their market achievements, they earned the Grammy for R&B Instrumental Performance for “And You Know That” from 1986’s Shades and the Grammy for Jazz Fusion Performance for 1989’s Politics. Their knack for balancing broad appeal with a commitment to improvisational depth drew elite musicians across decades, among them saxophonist Bob Mintzer, who first appeared on 1991’s Greenhouse, and guitarist Mike Stern, featured on 2008’s Lifecycle. Additional personnel encompassed Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine, drummer Marcus Baylor, and bassist Felix Pastorius, son of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, who joined for 2013’s A Rise in the Road before departing after 2016’s Cohearence. Brazilian jazz singer Luciana Souza worked with the group on 2018’s universally acclaimed Raising Our Voice. Embracing further partnership, Yellowjackets joined the WDR Big Band to create 2020’s Jackets XL, then reverted to their core quartet for 2022’s Parallel Motion.

While tracking his 1979 album The Inside Story, former L.A. Express guitarist Robben Ford assembled a rhythm section with keyboardist Russell Ferrante, electric bassist Jimmy Haslip, and drummer Ricky Lawson. Warner Bros. producer Tommy LiPuma noticed the unit, signed them, and guided their evolution into Yellowjackets. Including Ford, they issued two favorably received albums, 1981’s Yellowjackets and 1983’s Mirage a Trois, the latter receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Fusion Performance in 1984.

Following Ford’s 1983 departure, Yellowjackets welcomed alto saxophonist Marc Russo and moved to Warner Bros. Powered by Russo’s clear yet soulful tone, the ensemble evolved further, shifting toward a stronger R&B emphasis on 1985’s Samurai Samba and 1986’s Shades, which remained on the Billboard Top Jazz Album chart for 32 weeks and reached number four. The album contained the track “And You Know That,” which secured the Grammy for R&B Instrumental Performance.

Transitioning to MCA/GRP, Yellowjackets sustained audience growth, issuing a series of well-regarded recordings such as 1987’s Four Corners, which introduced drummer William Kennedy and incorporated Weather Report percussionist Alex Acuña; the set earned a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Fusion Performance. Their next release, 1988’s Politics, also succeeded commercially and garnered another Grammy nomination, again for Best Jazz Fusion Performance. The Spin arrived the following year and received the same Grammy nomination while marking Russo’s final recording with the band.

In 1990, saxophonist Bob Mintzer appeared as Russo’s successor, bringing more than two decades of experience leading his own ensembles and collaborating with figures including Jaco Pastorius, Randy Brecker, and Philip Glass. He debuted on 1990’s Greenhouse, which topped Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Mintzer became a permanent member for 1992’s Like a River, which climbed to number three on Billboard’s Top Contemporary Jazz Albums chart and earned a Grammy nomination for Best Contemporary Jazz Recording. The group concluded its GRP tenure with 1993’s Run for Your Life, which reached number eight on the Billboard Contemporary Jazz Albums chart. Returning to Warner Bros., they released Dreamland, featuring vocalist Bobby McFerrin as a guest. Two further albums appeared on the label: 1997’s Blue Hats and 1998’s Club Nocturne, which included vocalists Kurt Elling, Brenda Russell, and Jonathan Butler. In 2002 the band issued the live two-CD set Mint Jam on Heads Up, which also introduced drummer Marcus Baylor.

Yellowjackets resumed studio work in 2003 with Times Squared, which attained number 15 on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums chart. Three years afterward they marked their 25th anniversary via the live album Twenty Five. Lifecycle followed in 2008 and showcased veteran fusion guitarist Mike Stern.

Celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2011, the band delivered Timeline on Mack Avenue; it reached number five on Billboard’s Top Jazz Albums chart and received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album. Two years later they issued A Rise in the Road, their first recording without bassist Haslip, who departed to concentrate on family and additional projects. Bassist Felix Pastorius, son of legendary Weather Report bassist Jaco Pastorius, took the role, while trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire guested on three tracks. Pastorius was succeeded by Dane Alderson in 2015. Cohearence appeared the next year and featured a notable reading of John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” In 2018 Yellowjackets joined vocalist Luciana Souza for Raising Our Voice. November 2020 brought their 25th album, the Grammy-nominated Jackets XL. A celebratory project with Cologne, Germany’s WDR Big Band, it presented familiar Yellowjackets originals refreshed through dynamic new arrangements. 2022’s Parallel Motion returned the focus to the quartet lineup and a collection of original compositions, also spotlighting vocalist Jean Baylor.