Given that the critically-acclaimed set was completely self-produced and distributed the well-deserved nomination came as something of a surprise. “We are extremely honored to receive our 12th Grammy nomination over a 20-year period," said co-founding member and keyboardist Russell Ferrante. “This is a bit of a shock considering the fact that MINT JAM is a self-produced and -financed 'live' double-CD with no distribution in the US. Special thanks to Dave Love and HeadsUp Records for making it available overseas and to the Grammy voters and all our incredible fans for making this possible. Good luck to all the nominees and see you in NYC."
Yellowjackets will release a new CD in May 2003, TIME SQUARED, on HeadsUp.
For more information on Yellowjackets and MINT JAM, go to: http://www.yellowjackets.com
Mint Jam presents the live side of one of contemporary jazz' finest units... on this session Yellowjackets prove once again that contemporary electric jazz isn't just about studio polish and glitz... These are singularly beautiful performances." **** (4 stars) --Todd S. Jenkins, Down Beat
“Our favorite new Jazz CD is called Mint Jam, the latest recording by Yellowjackets. It's a brilliant double-set live CD recorded in July 2001. The performances on Mint Jam are entirely fresh and the band sounds truly invigorated.... YJ's vigorous contemporary sound covers the broad spectrum of splendid melody, dexterous solos, solid ensemble arrangements and captivating experimentation." --Kent & Keith Zimmerman, JazzWeek
“Yellowjackets present convincing credentials as a first-rate, beyond-category jazz ensemble." --Don Heckman, The Los Angeles Times
“Mint Jam finds Yellowjackets at their most expressive and eclectic, presented as a hard-bop quartet whose heartfelt improvisations have become a dynamic foil to their trademark sophisticated compositions." --Steve Graybow, Billboard
For more information contact All About Jazz.
