AN American jazz fusion quartet with its origins in Los Angeles are to make a rare UK appearance outside of London and visit the South Lakes.

Yellowjackets, whose first incarnation began in 1977, are to play at Zeffirellis in Ambleside as part of their 2016 world tour.

The tour is taking place on the back of the April 2016 release of the band's twenty sixth release 'Cohearence', which came out on Mack Avenue Records.

Inma Plaza Mota, of Zeffirellis, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity to hear one of the world's greatest contemporary jazz groups at the only UK performances outside London on their current world tour.

"Moreover it is a chance to catch them in a more intimate venue."

Yellowjackets, originally known as the Robben Ford Group, have been touring with various line-ups since the 70s, and released their first album in 1981.

The band was formed by a group of esteemed Los Angeles session musicians, and the calibre of the players in the band has been high ever since.

Their reputation as jazz musicians has seen them collaborate with the likes of guitarist Mike Stern, who made his name in Miles Davis' band, playing with the jazz legend in the early 80s.

Mike Stern, who was labelmates with the band at the time, played on the band's Grammy nominated 2009 album 'Lifecycle'.

Another big-name contributor was Felix Pastorius, son of revered and innovative jazz bass player Jaco Pastorius.

Felix filled in for Yellowjackets' original bassist Jimmy Haslip during his sabbatical year in 2013, appearing on the album 'A Rise in the Road', which preceded 'Cohearance'.

The band's current line-up features original member Russell Ferrante on piano and synths; Will Kennedy on drums and synths; Dane Alderson on electric bass and Bob Mintzer playing saxophones, bass clarinet, EWI and flute.

Yellowjackets' cross-continental tour sees them playing all over Europe, including Poland, Bulgaria and Italy, beofre returning to the US for more shows.

Their performance at Zeffirellis will take place on Monday July 18.