Yellowjackets: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
• Groups/Boards
• Fan Sites

• Spyro Gyra
• Fattburger
• The Crusaders
• Steps Ahead
• Chris Botti
• Special EFX
• Elements

• Mike Catalano

• Robben Ford
• Marcus Baylor

• Bill Gable
• Ricky Lawson
• Lorraine Perry
• William Kennedy
• Michael Franks
• Bob Mintzer
• Marc Russo

Formed:

Jan 1, 1981

Genres:

Jazz Music, Fusion Jazz Music, Contemporary Jazz Music

Decades Active:

1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

Medium

Cultural Impact

Medium

Popularity

Medium

Ratings Guide

Although sometimes grouped with Spyro Gyra, the Yellowjackets are actually one of the most creative regular groups in the "rhythm jazz" genre. Founded in 1981 as an RB-oriented band that starred guitarist Robben Ford, the group took a giant step forward when, after Ford's departure, altoist Marc Russo took his place. With original members Russell Ferrante on keyboards and electric bassist Jimmy Haslip, in addition to drummer William Kennedy, the band found its own RB-ish sound, sometimes playing original compositions that sounded like Joe Zawinul at his most melodic. Starting out on Warner Brothers in the early eighties, the Yellowjackets moved to MCA/GRP in 1986, where they released a string of well received albums. In the '90s, Russo chose to go out on his own, and his replacement Bob Mintzer (on tenor and bass clarinet) added more jazz credibility to the group's music. They moved back to Warner Brothers in 1995 for several albums before moving the the Heads Up label for the live 2 CD set Mint Jam in 2002. 2003 saw the release of their first studio album in five years, Time Squared.

- Scott Yanow, All Music Guide