A Rise In The Road, the Yellowjackets’
second Mack Avenue Records offering, is indeed an appropriate title for
a time-honored jazz ensemble that has never been fearful of facing
newer musical horizons, not to mention the myriad challenges of life
itself. Throughout their storied 32-year history, the Yellowjackets have undergone numerous lineup changes, never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment. Keyboardist Russell Ferrante and bassist Jimmy Haslip, the dual cornerstones of the group’s 21 previous recordings, were responsible for a sizable chunk of the Yellowjackets’ catalogue. Yet despite those shifts, Ferrante and Haslip, along with saxophonist Bob Mintzer (23-year member) and drummer William Kennedy
(14-year member, spread out between two different time periods),
soldiered on with a professionalism that has resulted in 17 Grammy®
nominations—with two wins—countless sold-out tours, and worldwide
critical acclaim.
Last year Jimmy Haslip announced he was taking a hiatus to focus on
other projects and spend more time with his family. Alas, all things
must come to an end, as he has decided to make his hiatus permanent.
Although his leaving is seismic within the scope of the Yellowjackets’ history—“A Rise In The Road,” if you please—change is no stranger to this consistently innovative and adaptable collective. A Rise In The Road introduces a new member—bassist Felix Pastorius—to
replace Haslip. Pastorius, whose last name is widely familiar to jazz
aficionados, steps in to contribute his talents to the group’s
continuing sonic ventures (more on Felix Pastorius in a moment).
In 2010, the Yellowjackets signed to Mack Avenue
Records and in 2011 released Timeline, which reached #5 on Billboard’s
jazz chart; the title cut received substantial national jazz radio
airplay, making the song a staple on Billboard’s “Smooth Jazz Songs”
chart. Now the Yellowjackets unveil A Rise In The Road, a 10-track study that burnishes the group’s sterling reputation for high quality tonal explorations and ensemble execution.
Produced by Ferrante, Mintzer and Kennedy, A Rise In The Road
stands shoulder-to-shoulder with their 21 previous efforts. “It’s about
the challenges that people face in their lives and whatever path they
are on: It’s not always smooth sailing, it’s not always a level road,”
explains Ferrante, with regards to the project’s meaning. “Certainly,
over the 32 years that we’ve been a band, we’ve had things come up,
challenges such as musicians that have left the band, business people,
relationships that you have built over the years. Things come to an end,
and you have to meet the challenge and keep going forward.”
Felix Pastorius is the newest Yellowjackets
member. He is the son of legendary jazz bassist Jaco Pastorius, most
known for his affiliation with jazz-fusion contemporaries, Weather
Report. Prior to his death in 1986, Jaco had enlisted Mintzer to play
saxophone in several of his post-Weather Report big band incarnations.
Mintzer was familiar with Felix Pastorius as a
top-flight musician, having sat in as a guest performer in the Jeff
Coffin Mu’ Tet where Felix was the bassist. “The music industry is a
small place. We held auditions with a few bass players, and Felix’s name
came up,” reflects Mintzer. “He was the one that rose to the top,
really played well, and seemed like he had the personality that fit
well. I believe we made the right choice.” In a statement released upon
officially joining the Yellowjackets in early 2012, Pastorius commented: “I am humbled by the opportunity to step in for Jimmy Haslip.” A Rise In The Road
also marks the first time in nearly 30-years that Jaco’s bass was
played on a new recording. The instrument can be heard on several
tracks. Robert Trujillo (bassist for Metallica), who owns Jaco’s bass,
is a Pastorius family friend and generously loaned Felix the bass for
the session.
As one half of the Yellowjackets rhythm engine, Will
Kennedy stood to feel the impact of Jimmy Haslip’s departure and
Pastorius’ addition directly. “When we got word that Jimmy was moving
on, it was a shock to all of us because he had such a big footprint in
our band. We weren’t quite sure what the possibilities were or what it
would be like.” The three eased Pastorius into the fold by gigging with
him for eight months during 2012, a move that allayed fears as the band
gradually became comfortable playing together. “That shined some light
on the situation,” Kennedy continues. “As opposed to a detriment, it was
more of an opportunity for us to grow and expand with a different
combination of voices within our group. It turned out to be a pleasant
experience, and it continued on into the recording process.”
Prior to the recording process, each member arrived armed with the
knowledge that whatever composition one brings to the table will receive
proper respect. “It’s very democratic,” Mintzer says, describing the
song selection process. “Once a song is brought to the table, it’s free
rein, basically. It’s a given that the composer relinquishes his initial
take when a song is given to the committee. Everyone is welcome to make
adjustments and suggestions.”
Ferrante penned “An Informed Decision,” “An Amber Shade of Blue,”
“You’ll Know When It’s Time” and “Longing;” Kennedy contributed the
sensual “Madrugada;” while Mintzer penned “When the Lady Dances,” “Civil
War,” “Thank You” and “I Knew His Father.” Mintzer titled “I Knew Your
Father” as both a tribute to Jaco Pastorius and a warm welcome into the Yellowjackets for Felix.
Additionally, Ferrante composed “Can’t We Elope,” a play off Herbie
Hancock’s famed “Cantaloupe Island.” Ferrante explains, “’Can’t We
Elope’ is kind of a bad pun. I borrowed the bass line and the feeling of
the song from the Herbie’s tune; the title plays off that.” “Can’t We
Elope” features rising star trumpeter Ambrose Akinmusire, who also
contributes creative flows on “An Informed Decision” and “An Amber Shade
of Blue.” Akinmusire is a past winner of both the prestigious
Thelonious Monk International Jazz Competition and the Carmen Caruso
International Trumpet Solo Competition. “He’s a young trumpeter who’s
been making a lot of noise,” Ferrante reveals. “It was a real honor to
have him record with us; he’s a super-talented musician.” From a
historical perspective, while the band has rarely incorporated the
trumpet on their previous albums, Akinmusire’s appearance marks the
second consecutive Yellowjackets album to feature the instrument.
“The actual recording process went smoothly,” Ferrante relates.
“Felix did a lot of homework; he had charts and demos of the new music.”
Mintzer adds, “On several of our records there were extensive overdubs.
But on
A Rise In The Road, it was mainly just the four of us
playing live. There were a couple of little overdubs, but not nearly as
much as previous albums. We accomplished a big, big sound. It sounds
pretty wide for just four guys!” Ferrante agrees: “The music changes to
accommodate new people. We’re really pleased with the way
A Rise In The Road came out.”
“We do miss Jim, without a doubt,” concludes Mintzer. “Whenever you
change personnel in a partnership band like this one, things change
dramatically. But somehow, this core of what the Yellowjackets
is about remains; it transforms in one direction or another. But there
is this strong sense of collaboration and strength in numbers that I
seldom find in groups where there typically is a leader. A Rise In The Road is the next chapter of the Yellowjackets. We welcome Felix Pastorius
to the fray and are grateful to have the opportunity to express
ourselves in a way that reflects where we are all at in this very
moment.”
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