Jazz Guitarist Patrick Yandall in Concert

Posted in: Concerts

It was a freak football accident when he was in 6th grade in Bay City, Michigan, that would lead Yandall to focus on the guitar. A three-month hospital stay and a sympathetic musician father who loved jazz would encourage Yandall to pick up a guitar book. It didn’t take long for a life-long obsession to develop. *After his family finally settled in Michigan, Yandall fell in love with the progressive styles of Jimi Hendrix, Yes, Steely Dan, and George Benson. R&B/Soul artists EWF, Stevie Wonder, and Rufus, were also a definite influence. Attending a concert of Jeff Lorber with Kenny G on sax as a young musician, was a life-changing moment and steered his vision towards instrumental music. A summer music program in Boston and at Central Michigan University would help the guitarist to focus his talents on a more jazz-fusion approach. *Yandall moved to San Diego in the early 1980’s. Playing in a few cover bands in the SoCal area garnered the musician some important contacts which lead to studio work in Los Angeles for Capitol Records, and San Diego. This would find him a trusted place performing occasionally with the likes of J. Michael Verta, Michael Paulo, Scott Wilkie, Carl Evans, Jr. (Fattburger), Hollies Gentry III, Greg Vail (Kilauea), Tommy Emmanuel, Tom Braxton, and many more. State Theatre, 913 Washington, Bay City. Starts at 7 PM. $27.00 admission. Visit statetheatrebaycity.com for tickets or phone 989-893-9550.