Yellowjackets – Kulturhuset

Well into their fifth decade as a band, Yellowjackets show no signs of slowing down. On the contrary – as suggested by the title of their latest release, Fasten Up, the 27th album in the quartet’s history and their seventh for Mack Avenue Records. The unusual phrase, taken from the exciting title track by bassist Dane Alderson, embodies the band’s ethos of unrestrained momentum while carrying a warning: get ready, fasten your seatbelts, Yellowjackets are back and the pedals are to the floor. Their latest album, Fasten Up, was released on February 21, 2025.

The forward-driving spirit that has propelled Yellowjackets through the band’s history has less to do with the tempo of the songs themselves – which always feature a lively mix of styles and influences – and more with their commitment to exploration and renewal. These ideas are reflected in the band’s lineup, which includes founding pianist/keyboardist Russell Ferrante; drummer Will Kennedy, whose second tenure with the band (beginning in 2010) has now surpassed his first (1987–1999); saxophonist Bob Mintzer, who joined in 1990; and Australian-born Alderson, who will celebrate his first decade as a “Jacket” alongside the release of Fasten Up.