Skopje, 6 November 2025 (MIA) — The National Jazz Orchestra will give a concert in Skopje featuring Grammy-winning contemporary jazz band the Yellowjackets conducted by Bob Mintzer at the National Opera and Ballet at 8 pm.

Mintzer, who plays the saxophone and other woodwinds, is a long-time member of the band, which in its current lineup includes Russell Ferrante on piano and synthesizers, Will Kennedy on drums and Dane Alderson on bass.

"Yellowjackets, pioneers of the jazz-fusion genre, have been defining the contemporary jazz scene for more than four decades," organizers said, adding that JazzTimes magazine described the band as "a perfectly combustible electric-acoustic outfit whose smart, often challenging and unpredictable compositions draw from fusion, postbop and contemporary jazz."

Throughout their 43-year career, the Yellowjackets have recorded 25 albums and performed numerous tours worldwide. Their performances have been praised for their intricate interplay and a seamless fusion of styles, moving from jazz-funk to chamber jazz and demonstrating a continuous willingness to experiment and evolve. 

This evolution has earned them critical acclaim, 17 Grammy nominations as well as commercial success and has allowed them to remain a vital and influential force in contemporary jazz. mr/