Media Release

04.03.2013

America’s legendary Yellowjackets are hitting Scotland to celebrate their 30th anniversary – with a mission to ‘inspire smiles’.

The Grammy-winning group, who haven’t visited the country for 10 years, features founding keyboardist Russell Ferrante, drummer Will Kennedy, bassist Felix Pastorius and special guest, Bob Franceschini, on saxophone.

The tour is part of the J-Word programme, which aims to change the image of jazz and encourage new audiences to experience it, and Kennedy thinks the music that Yellowjackets creates is perfect for those who have perhaps never been to a jazz gig before, as well as those who know their jazz history.

He said: “There is no need to be afraid of music from Yellowjackets because it is fun music. Our performance will take you on a journey of joyful music that will inspire your thoughts, but most of all it will inspire your smile.

“The four of us enjoy performing very much and are committed to a quality sound with a high standard of improvisation, strong melody and interplay between the four of us. One of the strong influences in our music is traditional jazz, though we’re also inspired by music from Brazil and Africa, as well as classical and pop.

“No performance is exactly the same so when you come to a Yellowjackets performance, that experience will never happen that same way again…so don’t miss it!

Opening for them on the tour is Trio Red, which showcases the talents of award-winning Edinburgh-based drummer Tom Bancroft, London pianist Tom Cawley, and Norway’s Per Zanussi on bass, who create beautiful, melodic and rhythmic improvisations, quirky covers and mash-ups.

Bancroft said: “I set up Trio Red so I could explore collective improvising in a melodic and rhythmic way. I played with Tom Cawley a few years ago and felt an instant connection with him as an improviser and a person. I wanted to invite a bass player from Norway because I really like the scene and outlook of musicians there, and that’s how we got Per involved.”

Like Yellowjackets, Bancroft thinks Trio Red’s tunes will appeal to people eager to try out jazz for the first time, as well as for those who’re already into the scene. He said: “We often get people saying ‘I don’t like jazz but I really liked that’. The music is very melodic and rhythmic and catchy – even when it is being improvised – and I think people find that compelling. Also our bass player is very good looking.”

Tour dates

Yellowjackets and Trio Red: March 10, Eden Court, Inverness; March 11, Concert Hall, Perth; March 12, Music Hall, Aberdeen; March 13, Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh; March 15, Rothes Halls, Glenrothes.

To follow the project on Twitter, please search: @jworduk

To view the website, please visit: www.j-word.co.uk

Source: Eden Court Theatre