Russell Ferrante

Russell is the keyboard player and founding member of the Yellowjackets,
one of the most acclaimed and influential groups in contemporary jazz. The Yellowjackets’ blend of funk, fusion, and straight-ahead jazz provides for an extremely exciting and energizing experience. From their inception in 1980, Yellowjackets have recorded sixteen albums, receiving thirteen Grammy nominations and winning two awards, Best R&B Instrumental Performance in 1986 and Best Contemporary Jazz Performance in 1989. The Yellowjackets are currently celebrating their 30th anniversary tour with Russell on keyboard, Bob Mintzer on sax, Jimmy Haslip on bass, and William Kennedy on drums.

In addition to the Yellowjackets, Russell has worked with and produced records for a large variety of top artists, including Bobby McFerrin, Michael Franks, Sadao Watanabe, Marilyn Scott, Eric Marianthal, Sergio Salvatore, Jimmy Witherspoon, Jim Pepper, Joe Farrell, Joni Mitchell, Bobby McFerrin, Robben Ford, Marilyn Scott, Ernie Watts, Sadao Watanabe, GRP Big Band, Lee Ritenour, Tom Scott, Take 6, Michael Franks, and many others.

Russell has taught and conducted dozens of clinics at colleges and private music schools throughout the United States, Japan and Europe, including at the Berklee School of Music, which offers a course analyzing Yellowjackets music, and at U.S.C. where he is an adjunct professor.

In his lesson for The Music Path, Russell teaches beginning pianists how to play a wide variety of jazz styles, from traditional blues to contemporary funk and fusion rhythms.