The Jazz Studies program hosts a free workshop led by Chris Speed's Yeah NO, featuring Chris Speed, saxophone and clarinet; Jim Black, drums; Cuong Vu, trumpet; and Skúli Sverrisson, bass.
YEAH NO
Chris Speed • Jim Black • Cuong Vu • Skúli Sverrisson
OGs of the NYC Jazz. & New Music Underground
Before genre-blurring became a buzzword and boundary-pushing a branding strategy, Yeah NO was already redefining jazz on their own terms— authentic, dynamic, and unapologetically original. Initially convened in the mid-90s as an experiment in decoding and scoring group improvisations, the band - led by saxophonist and clarinetist Chris Speed (The Bad Plus) alongside Jim Black, Skúli Sverrisson, and trumpeter Cuong Vu - crafted an unconventional book of music that fused jazz, rock, Eastern European folk and minimalism, together pushing the NYC jazz and new music underground into new territory.
Thriving in New York City's late 90s underground scene, Yeah NO toured extensively across the U.S. and Europe, establishing a vital legacy through four influential recordings, including Swell Henry (2004) and Emit (2000).
Featuring an all-star lineup of innovators:
Chris Speed - Tenor saxophone and clarinet visionary; equally at home in expressive lyricism and post-bop abstraction.
Jim Black - Drummer, electronic experimentalist, rhythmic architect; a foundational voice in NYC's avant-jazz drumming vocabulary.
Cuong Vu - Trumpeter known for blistering sonics and lyrical intensity, blending noise, jazz, and ambient textures with fearless grace.
Skúli Sverrisson - Bassist, composer, and sonic innovator whose genius and unique approach have left a profound mark on contemporary music.
Now, two decades later, Yeah NO returns with the same deep musical connection, fearless ensemble playing, and intensity that defined their early sound. 2026 will mark a rare opportunity to hear and experience their dynamic performance live!