Yellowjackets

After two (!) successful concerts last year, Yellowjackets are returning to LantarenVenster this year! This time, the band will perform music from their new album Fasten Up, among others. In the early days of Yellowjackets, their steaming fusion mixed with acoustic jazz hit like a bomb, with Mirage A Trois (1983), Samurai Samba (1985) and Four Corners (1987) as notable albums from this period. Over the years, Ford's input diminished and his role was limited to guest musician. The group developed further, and a selection of musicians became part of the band: Marc Russo, William Kennedy, Marcus Baylor, Paulinho da Costa, Bob Mintzer, Peter Erskine, Terri Lyne Carrington and Felix Pastorius.

Even though Yellowjackets changed line-up often, the music always remains based on a mix of jazz, funk, R&B, pop and a touch of world. They call it “rhythm and jazz.” The changes did provide new dimensions in the music. Under the influence of drummer William Kennedy, the group ventured more into the field of world beats and soundscapes and with the arrival of saxophonist and arranger Bob Mintzer, the focus shifted more to straight-ahead acoustic jazz. From 1995 onwards, they returned to the more relaxed sound of the early years. The new album, Fasten Up, which was released in February this year, looks back and takes inspiration from the early period but at the same time it also looks forward. The Jazz fusion on this album combines many different genres together. "I like to think that my compositions reflect all the music that influences me. Heavy metal, electronica, ambient, R&B, rock & pop are some of my favorite genres (just to name a few!) and combining those styles with elements of jazz and improvisation is really exciting to me," says bassist Dane Alderson.

With their extensive discography, years of experience and the new album Fasten Up, the Yellowjackets prove once again that they belong in the ranks of the greatest jazz fusion bands. Last year's concert sold out quickly, so be there on time!