By Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest
The Chicago Yestet, the brainchild of trombonist and composer Joel Adams, a veteran of the Woody Herman Orchestra as well as the Chicago music scene, is a unique large ensemble. The band, in existence for a dozen years, includes three saxophones, two trumpets, two trombones, guitar, bass, drums, a vocalist plus a spoken word artist. Their music combines elements of jazz, r’n’b, hip hop, and more with messages that speak about current issues and the age-old topic of love. The ensemble, listed below, is composed of musicians who are active throughout the Chicago area plus lead their own groups. Read the full review here.