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Russell Ferrante (YellowJackets) releases a beautiful jazz trio album titled, "Inflexion​". Inflexion or inflection comes from the Latin root inflexionem meaning to bend in, to change direction. This music is indeed very personal and intimate and one could say it bends in. Featuring the beautiful interplay from Russell Ferrante (piano), Michael Valerio (bass), and Steve Schaeffer (drums).

Featuring:

Russell Ferrante Live. Photo credit - Gulnara Khamatova

Michael Valerio. Photo Credit - Joanne Pearce Martin

Piano: Russell Ferrante
Bass: Michael Valerio
Drums: Steve Schaeffer
Recorded, Mixed, Co-Producer: Aaron Walk
​at Agave Studios
Mastered: Rich Breen c/o Dogmatic Sound
Album Art Design: Tim Biskup

Steve Schaeffer

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About The Album

Inflexion or inflection comes from the Latin root inflexionem meaning to bend in, to change direction. This music is indeed very personal and intimate and one could say it bends in. It is rooted in friendship, mutual respect, and the numerous points of connection we’ve shared over decades. I met Steve Schaeffer shortly after moving to Los Angeles in 1977 through our mutual friend, guitarist, Robben Ford. I met Michael Valerio years later when we began collaborating and recording with vocalist, Lorraine Feather. We all met Aaron ten years ago after Steve built a home recording studio and was searching for an audio engineer and some musicians to kick the tires. I didn’t have a home studio but I did have a few tunes that needed their tires kicked. As we worked on the music it became clear that Steve, Michael, and Aaron were perfect collaborators. Their generosity, sensitivity, commitment, and talent is what made this recording possible. It has been an exhilarating, sometimes humbling, but always rewarding experience to shape this music together. Thank you for bending in with us. - Russell Ferrante

About The Songs

Stick-to-it-iveness was originally recorded by Yellowjackets on their 1998 recording Club Nocturne. We reworked it for acoustic trio with Steve playing hadphoon and Mike adding his expressive bowed bass.

Network of Mutuality was also originally recorded by Yellowjackets on their recording Raising Our Voice. The song was inspired by Martin Luther King’s letter from a Birmingham jail asserting that we are all connected to one another in a shared network of mutuality. The song travels through all 12 major and minor keys to honor that connection.

Inflexion D is built around a five note left hand phrase. It was a tricky hand independence challenge for me but Steve and Mike make it feel natural.

Rhythm-a-ning was a one take palette cleanser at the end of a recording day.

Isfahan is an Ellington/Strayhorn classic featuring an unexpected but delicious drum solo.

Inflexion A is a cousin to Inflection D but this time built around a 7 note right hand phrase.

Spoons was originally recorded by Eric Marienthal on his recording Crossroads. It lends itself well to the trio setting and features Steve using the rim and rods to emulate the sound of spoons.

I Do was recorded by Yellowjackets on their recording Timeline. It’s a tribute to my mom and dad who were married for 60 years and was composed right after my mom’s passing in 2011.

57 Chevy was also recorded by Yellowjackets on their recording Altered State. It takes its title from the 5 and 7 note groupings in the melody and accompaniment.

How Deep is the Ocean is one of our favorite standards. I started playing it after hearing McCoy Tyner play it as a beautiful tribute to his friend, drummer, Billy Higgins.

We Shall Overcome is a special song for us. We play a once a year jazz vespers concert at All Saints Church Pasadena (where we played our first gig) and are often booked the Sunday close to Martin Luther King day. We first played this arrangement with our beloved priest, Zelda Kennedy officiating and dedicate this to her memory.

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Spoons - Russell Ferrante Trio (Free Download)

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