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<!-- #thumb --> <p>One of the most original groups that burst on the jazz scene in 1981 and is still going strong is Yellowjackets. The group began in 1977 when guitarist Robben Ford gathered a group of veteran session musicians for his project <i>The Inside Story.</i> This trio, keyboardist Russell Ferrante, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Ricky Lawson discovered that they had a musical kinship.</p>
<p>Ford’s recording was primarily an instrumental one and his label wanted another effort that was more pop and vocal oriented.</p>
<p>The Robben Ford Group, however, were set on sticking with the instrumental formula and bid their label <i>adieu. </i>The group recorded some digital demos that were accepted by Warner Brothers Records and Yellowjackets was born. Their debut album, <i>Yellowjackets</i>, flooded jazz radio stations and garnered public and critical acclaim. In my opinion, <i>Yellowjackets</i> is one of the best debut albums, from the perspective of both the music and recording quality, in jazz history.</p>
<p>Yellowjackets, despite personnel changes and a brief hiatus to pursue other projects, would continue to flourish after reuniting for the 1984 Playboy Jazz Festival. This monumental concert would catapult them to success in both the Billboard jazz charts and concerts around the world.</p>
<p>Alright already-it’s Yellowjackets time! Here are some tunes from their amazing debut project, <i>Yellowjackets.</i></p>
<p>(One of my favorite Yellowjackets songs!!!)</p>
<p>Here are some tracks from the myriad of other ‘Jackets projects.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIVqLHULuSs"><center><span class="youtube">
</span></center></a> (A lot of people had no idea that this was Yellowjackets contribution to this landmark movie!)</p>
<p>Let’s close with a song that is not a Yellowjackets tune, but does feature the group’s bassist, Jimmy Haslip. Here’s my favorite Gino Vannelli recording,” Brother to Brother”.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVm6hL0cynA"><center><span class="youtube">
</span></center></a> (Awesome drumming by Casey Scheuerell!!!!!!!)</p>
<p>Yes indeed, Yellowjackets are a major force on the jazz scene and one of the best groups ever! That’s my story and I’m stickin’ with it!</p>
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[Source: http://www.pstracks.com/music/11819/11819/]
<p>Ford’s recording was primarily an instrumental one and his label wanted another effort that was more pop and vocal oriented.</p>
<p>The Robben Ford Group, however, were set on sticking with the instrumental formula and bid their label <i>adieu. </i>The group recorded some digital demos that were accepted by Warner Brothers Records and Yellowjackets was born. Their debut album, <i>Yellowjackets</i>, flooded jazz radio stations and garnered public and critical acclaim. In my opinion, <i>Yellowjackets</i> is one of the best debut albums, from the perspective of both the music and recording quality, in jazz history.</p>
<p>Yellowjackets, despite personnel changes and a brief hiatus to pursue other projects, would continue to flourish after reuniting for the 1984 Playboy Jazz Festival. This monumental concert would catapult them to success in both the Billboard jazz charts and concerts around the world.</p>
<p>Alright already-it’s Yellowjackets time! Here are some tunes from their amazing debut project, <i>Yellowjackets.</i></p>
<p>(One of my favorite Yellowjackets songs!!!)</p>
<p>Here are some tracks from the myriad of other ‘Jackets projects.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIVqLHULuSs"><center><span class="youtube">
</span></center></a> (A lot of people had no idea that this was Yellowjackets contribution to this landmark movie!)</p>
<p>Let’s close with a song that is not a Yellowjackets tune, but does feature the group’s bassist, Jimmy Haslip. Here’s my favorite Gino Vannelli recording,” Brother to Brother”.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVm6hL0cynA"><center><span class="youtube">
</span></center></a> (Awesome drumming by Casey Scheuerell!!!!!!!)</p>
<p>Yes indeed, Yellowjackets are a major force on the jazz scene and one of the best groups ever! That’s my story and I’m stickin’ with it!</p>
<center><a href="http://www.pstracks.com/music/11819/11819/emailpopup/" onclick="email_popup(this.href); return false;" title="Forward to a friend and help us engage more readers" rel="nofollow"><img class="WP-EmailIcon" src="http://www.pstracks.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-email/images/email.gif" alt="email Yellowjackets!" title="Yellowjackets!" /></a>*<a href="http://www.pstracks.com/music/11819/11819/emailpopup/" onclick="email_popup(this.href); return false;" title="Forward to a friend and help us engage more readers" rel="nofollow">Forward to a friend and help us engage more readers</a></center><br /><!-- // MAILCHIMP SUBSCRIBE CODE --><center><a href="http://eepurl.com/eSzBY">Get new and fresh stories like this each morning by joining the folks reading Paul's Posts. Click here </a></center>
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[Source: http://www.pstracks.com/music/11819/11819/]