Yellow Jack - About

L to R: Keith Glass (bass+vocals); Warren namingha (percussion); Dennis Reed Jr (guitar, Harmonica+vocaLs); Andrew GiannI (mandolin, BANJO+vocals); Lainie REID (fiddle, banjo+vocals). PHOTO: CHRIS KALISIAK

FOLK. bluegrass. local.

Formed in the spring of 2019 in Buffalo, N.Y., Yellow Jack performs an energetic selection of American folk, hillbilly, and sacred songs from the last two centuries. They emphasize Western New York History, and write some songs of their own. Occasionally they will give new music an old twist, recasting Beatles, White Stripes or Phil Collins (for instance) in a folk setting.

THE PLAYERS.

Dennis Reed Jr (The Lady, or the Tiger?, formerly of The Maniacs) is a music and local history enthusiast, informing the band's wide-ranging selections. Andrew Gianni brings the bluegrass with his mandolin and tenor vocals, while Alaina Reid plays searing old-time fiddle (she also appears in the contra dance band, Fried Oatmeal). The rhythm section is comprised of Keith Glass (formerly of Tred-Eyed Joe and the Smoker's Fence) on bass and vocals, and Warren Namingha (Kidd Delicious) on percussion.

new HISTORY.

The band's own songs include O Mighty Niagara (with Bob Egolf), The Legend of Black Hannah, When Our Little Gang Is Humming Along, and Won't You Pray for This Poor Atheist?