[audio:http://www.voanews.com/MediaAssets2/english/2011_04/timeline-30sec_yellowjackets.mp3]Diaa Bekheet | Washington, DC – The Yellowjackets Quartet is one of the most popular modern jazz bands in America. The group just released its new album “Timeline” to celebrate 30 years of achievements as one of the premiere jazz fusion/smooth jazz groups of our time.

Last year, when the Jackets were preparing to record their album, my colleague Russ Davis was in Detroit, Michigan. Russ was having breakfast in a restaurant on the sidelines of the Detroit Jazz Festival, when he saw Russell Ferrante of the Yellow jackets across the way. Here’s a recap of their conversation:

The Yellowjackets have recorded 24 albums, so far. The quartet is currently made up of Russell Ferrante on keyboards and synthesizers, Jimmy Haslip on bass, Will Kennedy on drums and percussions, and Bob Mintzer on saxophones and bass clarinet.

The group has won two Grammy Awards. One was for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for “And You Know That” in 1986:

And the second was for Best Jazz Fusion Performance for “Politics” in 1988.

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