The Yellowjackets Release Album with New Bassist
The Yellowjackets have released their first album with Australian virtuoso bassist Dane Alderson.
The album, Cohearence, features jazz fusion, a rendition of the folk song “Shenandoah,” and a closing track with a chamber-jazz feel.
The band, which released its debut album under the Yellowjackets name in 1981 after forming in 1977 as the Robben Ford Group, introduced the music on the road in early 2015. “We spent a lot more time with the music than we usually do before we record,” said founding member/pianist/keyboardist Russell Ferrante. “We rehearsed the songs by playing them live, so that when we went into the studio we weren’t just playing our first impressions of the music. Then, we recorded totally live in less than two days.”
Alderson is following in the footsteps of bass excellence in the band. Founding bassist Jimmy Haslip was with the band through 2012. Jaco Pastorius’ son, Felix stepped in for Haslip from 2012 through 2015.
Here’s the band talking about the new album, and about Alderson joining:
Cohearence is available on CD and as a digital download (iTunes and Amazon MP3).
Cohearence Track List:
- Golden State
- Guarded Optimism
- Anticipation
- Inevitable Outcome
- Trane Changing
- Eddie’s in the House
- Fran’s Scene
- Child’s Play
- Shenandoah
- Coherence
I think Dane sounds like a better fit tonally. There is no doubting Felix’s ability, there was always a discussion about his tone in the context of the band. ‘Rise in the Road’ sounded like a compromise between the producers and Felix.
I’ve just watched a live gig of theirs from the Java Festival. Dane had the whole set memorised. I pretty sure he’s got most of the back catalogue memorised too.
For Will to have mentioned it means it made an impression and I think Dane will be here to stay, he certainly ticks all the boxes. Dream gig!