Yellowjackets

Yellowjackets live in concert are just as funky and tight as on their records. The focus is on the music, with barely a break between numbers. The four musicians are locked into something shared but invisble – communication seeming to happen on a plane far above anything perceivable by an audience. The only exception is William Kennedy's watchful eyes, and the relaxation occasioned by gracious acknowledgement of applause after a solo.

Russ Ferrante alternates between a kind of introverted hunching into the piano and bouncing around on the stool mid-solo, in contrast to the more reserved Bob Mintzer: eyes closed, with a hint of oscillation from side to side on the spot. Mintzer's tenor sound is unmistakable: it's big, bold, fat, and soulful; it's a surprising change when he switches to the EWI – strongly reminiscent of the Brecker Bros era sound. For me, Felix Pastorius (who stepped in for longstanding bassist Jimmy Haslip) lacks something of Haslip's maturity and tone, but propels the pace while often filling out harmony in the form of bass chords.

But make no mistake, these ferocious players are suprisingly humble guys. As a first-year music student I followed them on their 2004 UK tour (the line-up then was Ferrante, Mintzer, Haslip, and Marcus Baylor on drums), seeing them play at my Music College in Leeds as well as the legendary Ronnie Scott's in London – each time I hung around after the gig and chatted with the band. They were warm, friendly, encouraging – taking the time to write personal messages in the CDs I'd brought along for them to sign.