Jazz Articles about Jimmy Haslip

Yellowjackets: Altered State

by John Kelman
March 16, 2005

Sometimes the best move a band can make is to go indie. Consider Yellowjackets, who have been imbued with unquestionable instrumental credibility since emerging in the early '80s. Over their 25-year career Yellowjackets have veered from torch carriers of the latter-day, more structured incarnations of Weather Report to a group in dangerous proximity to smooth jazz territory. In the process of racking up nearly twenty recordings, the group's technical prowess has never been in question, but some of its choices ...

Yellowjackets: Altered State

by C. Michael Bailey
March 15, 2005

Yellowjackets' music is steeped in the R&B/jazz tradition of the Jazz Crusaders, Junior Mance, Weather Report, and, of course Miles. Russell Ferrante always manages to slip a bit of church into his piano playing, a trend quickly picked up and absconded with by Bob Mintzer. Jimmy Haslip plays the most elastic bass since Victor Bailey, and Marcus Baylor must be the toast of the percussion town.

The band members all come together for Altered State in a brilliant ...

Jimmy Haslip: Red Heat

by Dave Hughes
September 1, 2000

Jimmy Haslip's second solo release showcases the extraordinary bassist in a heavily Latin setting; a departure from what we usually hear from him within the context of the Yellowjackets or his various sideman appearances. The CD is dedicated to his father, James J.F. Haslip, and his Puerto Rican heritage. Haslip's primary collaborator throughout the program is Joe Vannelli, best known as the keyboardist and mainstay for his brother, Gino. Vannelli and Haslip co-composed seven of the ten tunes, co-produced the ...

Various Artists: A Twist of Jobim

by Douglas Payne
May 1, 1997

This appropriately “smooth jazz" tribute to Antonio Carlos Jobim is perhaps one of the best that's come out over the last few years. Like many of Jobim's records, it goes down like a smooth, relaxing drink. Producer, arranger and nominal leader guitarist Lee Ritenour has collected some fine talent, particularly frequent collaborator Dave Grusin, and crafted some very nice moments throughout. Highlights include “Water to Drink" (featuring Ritenour and Grusin), “Captain Bacardi" (an old Ritenour / Grusin staple with Eric ...