Yellowjackets

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About Yellowjackets

A leading crossover jazz outfit, Yellowjackets found success combining polished funk and R&B grooves with a strong post-bop- and fusion-influenced sound. Led by keyboardist Russell Ferrante, the group rose to prominence in the '80s, helping to define the sound of smooth jazz. Accolades followed, including winning the Grammy for R&B Instrumental Performance for "And You Know That" off 1986's Shades and the Grammy for Jazz Fusion Performance for 1989's Politics. Saxophonist Bob Mintzer joined the group with 1991's Greenhouse. Other featured players have also included Weather Report drummer Peter Erskine, guitarist Mike Stern, and bassist Felix Pastorius, son of legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius, who appeared on 2013's A Rise in the Road. Dane Alderson took over as bassist with 2016's Cohearence. Brazilian singer Luciana Souza collaborated with the band on 2018's Raising Our Voice, as did WDR Big Band on 2020's Jackets XL. In 2022, the quartet returned with Parallel Motion.

ORIGIN
Los Angeles, CA, United States
FORMED
1981
GENRE
Jazz

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