The Legends of Jazz 4: Yellow Jackets, Patrice Rushen, Hiroshima

Patrice Rushen is a pianist, composer, producer, and music director whose pioneering career bridges jazz, R&B, classical, and pop genres. A classically trained pianist, she emerged in the 1970s with a distinctive sound blending melodic sophistication and instrumental prowess.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Rushen attended the University of Southern California, where she majored in music education with a minor in piano performance. In 1974, while still at USC, she signed with Prestige Records, where she recorded two albums, Prelusion and Before the Dawn.

She has recorded 14 solo albums and performed with artists such as George Benson, Lionel Hampton, Herbie Hancock, Prince, Dianne Reeves, Carlos Santana, Wayne Shorter, Nancy Wilson, and Stevie Wonder. In 1997, Rhino Records released her greatest hits album, Haven’t You Heard: The Best of Patrice Rushen. Rushen has also collaborated with Ndugu Chancler, Alphonso Johnson, and Ernie Watts on two albums.

She has one of the most sampled catalogues by contemporary artists across genres and her 1982 hit Forget Me Nots has been sampled by artists such as Will Smith (“Men in Black”), George Michael, and Kirk Franklin.

Rushen has been musical director for many of the entertainment industry’s top awards shows and was the first woman to serve as musical director for the Grammy Awards, the Emmy Awards, and the NAACP Image Awards.

A composer of symphony music as well, in 2000 and 2001 she served as composer in residence with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Rushen was chair of the USC Thorton Popular Music Program from 2013-2023 and since 2008 served as Ambassador for Artistry in Education at Berklee College of Music. She participates in educational initiatives, including through the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences’ Grammy in the School program and Los Angeles’ Department of Cultural Affairs.

In 2005 Rushen received an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee. She continues to perform at major jazz festivals worldwide and to compose for films, television, and orchestras.

It’s time. Emerging from the surreal events of last year, Hiroshima embarks on its 40th Anniversary Tour armed with renewed vision and their first new music CD in 8 years, the “2020” Project.


One of the most unique and engaging American bands, Hiroshima brings its one-of-a-kind mix of Jazz, R&B, Salsa and Eastern sounds, with a diverse program of songs from its over 20 CD’s, including global hits like “One Wish” and “ Thousand Cranes,” with new and inspired music from the “2020” Project. Both early release singles charted solidly in the top 20 of Billboard Jazz Charts with “GrooveLatino” residing in the #2 spot for over 6 weeks.


The double Grammy nominated ensemble features the extraordinary June Kuramoto on koto (“The world’s greatest koto player” - Stanley Clarke), leader/producer Dan Kuramoto on winds/shakuhachi, Hawaiian Kimo Cornwell (Al Jarreau/Maze/Kalapana) keyboards, Dean Cortez (Boz Skaggs/Caldera/Willie Bobo) bass, and super drummer Land Richards (Hubert Laws/Gladys Knight/ Earth Wind and Fire/Stevie Wonder/Sonny Stitt).


Hiroshima is about diversity. It’s an exploration and celebration of cultures, music, art and the heart. “America’s greatest asset is our multiplicity—our cultural richness,” says Dan Kuramoto. “We try and embrace it, and the joy in our differences.” When Hiroshima toured with Miles Davis in 1990 Miles impressed them with the notion that music is a path that is ever changing.


Hiroshima continues the journey.

Throughout their storied 43-year history, the Yellowjackets have recorded 26 albums, received 16 Grammy® nominations – won 2 – performed countless sold-out tours, and enjoyed worldwide critical acclaim and commercial success.

The Yellowjackets formed in the late 1970’s as the backup band for guitarist Robben Ford. They recorded their first album together in 1980. Shortly after that recording, however, Ford decided to part ways and go in a different musical direction. As a result, the modern day Yellowjackets were formed — a trio with Russell Ferrante, Jimmy Haslip and Ricky Lawson. Since then, and with the addition of Bob Mintzer, the Yellowjackets have gained and maintained prominence as one of jazz’s most influential and loved groups.

Over the years the band has undergone numerous lineup changes. Never failing to rise to the inevitable challenges of adjustment, the Yellowjackets - Russell Ferrante, William Kennedy, Bob Mintzer - have maintained an extraordinarily high quality of musicianship that is the rival of many but a surprise to no one who knows and appreciates the band and their music.

The most recent addition to the band adds Australian bass player Dane Alderson in to the mix. With his exceptional rhythmic sensibility and natural disposition toward groove, Dane brings a new energy to the band and adds a youthful approach to the music.

The Yellowjackets album “Raising Our Voice" was released in Fall 2018 and features special guest vocalist Luciana Souza. Their album "Jackets XL with the WDR Big Band" was nominated for a Grammy® in 2021.

Their latest album "Parallel Motion" (2022) also received a Grammy nomination for Best Jazz Instrumental Album and is a true testament to the longevity and resilience of a band who debuted over 40 years ago. Consistently reinventing themselves through elevated instrumentation in their signature electro-acoustic soundscape, the current lineup showcases a collective at their prime.