Still With Some Sting

Even a band with 30 years under its belt can experience bumps in the road. Or, as jazz fusion band The Yellowjackets more gently labels them on the title of its newest record, "A Rise in the Road."

Founding member Russell Ferrante says the 2013 album is the band's response to a set of obstacles its members faced.

"It's a metaphor for a challenge," says the group's piano and keyboard player. "'Oh no, this hill again' ... that's life."

After longtime bass player Jimmy Haslip's departure from the band, The Yellowjackets, formed in 1979, found themselves on an uncertain path.

"'Would we be able to keep the music fresh and interesting?'" the group collectively wondered, according to Ferrante.

The band's response was to bring bass player Felix Pastorius -- son of electric bass guru Jaco Pastorius -- into the fold.

"He's young. And he's very smart. ... He has this incredible facility on the instrument. He can play things other bassists can't even get their hands on," Ferrante says.

Pastorius joined Ferrante, saxophonist Bob Mintzer and drummer Will Kennedy for the recording of "A Rise in the Road," the group's 22nd studio offering. Through those recordings, the band has earned almost as many Grammy nominations -- 17, to be exact. Musicians have come and gone over the years, and Ferrante is the only original member. But there's plenty of experience. Mintzer has been a Yellowjacket for 23 years; Kennedy for 14, split over two time periods.

Even through the group is only 18 months into its current incarnation, enough musical chemistry exists that The Yellowjackets recorded most of the album live. Ferrante, one of the album's producers, estimates half a dozen instances of overdubs on the entire album. Otherwise, it's "a first or second take. There's a real spark," Ferrante says.

The actual songs feature set arrangements. Live, of course, the band often meanders away from the recorded version.

"We try to balance improvisation and structure," Ferrante says.

In an age dominated by digital music and studio tricks, Ferrante says the live experience remains authentic.

"You follow where the spirit leads you, and it's elusive. You're always looking for that, and to lose yourself in the music. The audience can pick up on that. It's something palpable in the room," he says.

Onstage, it's smooth sailing. Unlike life can sometimes be.