Jing Chi

This fusion supergroup unites guitarist Robben Ford, a Miles Davis alumnus, with bassist Jimmy Haslip of the Yellowjackets and veteran session drummer Vinnie Colaiuta. Their debut album surfaced in 2002, after which a live recording titled Jing Chi Live at Yoshi's arrived the following year and showcased guest contributions from keyboardist Otmaro Ruiz plus alto saxophonist Marc Russo. One year later came the studio release 3-D. Over the ensuing 13 years the musicians convened only sporadically for concerts while each maintained a demanding solo schedule. Jing Chi startled listeners in fall 2017 by issuing another studio album, Supremo. Haslip handled production, Ford assisted as co-producer, and Rich Breen engineered the sessions, which also brought in saxophonist Jeff Coffin and trumpeter Mike Haynes. Across its ten tracks the set offered eight instrumentals alongside one vocal each from Ford and Haslip. The latter characterized the recording as "...a high energy modern R&B fusion explosion of sound."