Jazz-Pittsburgh.com smooth jazz artist biographyGerald Veasley - contemporary jazz bassist CD VelvetVisit the Pittsburgh smooth jazz news resource and restaurant directory at Jazz-Pittsburgh.com, the official Smooth Jazz event listings website and best dining guide of jazz clubs in pittsburghGerald Veasley - Velvet Much like an engine is responsible for the movement of a car, the bass takes the responsibility--along with some other peripheral instrumentation--in stylistically defining the overall feel or "movement" of a song. Is it funky? Does it rock? Is it swingin'? Etc., etc... Providing rhythmic and harmonic foundation, the bass is the "glue" that holds together the rhythm section (usually consisting of drums, bass, and sometimes--but not always--piano and/or guitar) and other lead and supporting instrumentation. Second only to the drums, the bass is probably the most compelling musical element of a song that makes you tap your foot, clap your hands, snap your fingers, bob your head, or just flat out get up and dance.
Bassist Gerald Veasley knows all about providing a good foundation on which to write and perform a song. As he demonstrates on "Velvet", his sixth and latest release on Heads Up International, the musical influences of his hometown of Philadelphia and many other diverse and eclectic musical experiences come together to support his jazzy R/B and funky flavored approach with a taste of the new neo-soul sound of some of today's popular music... Veasley began playing bass at age 12 learning from a very talented musical family. His uncle, Ira Tucker (lead singer with the gospel quartet the Dixie Hummingbirds), had planted the seed that influenced him to consider music as a livelihood by using Veasley on some gospel recordings that he had been producing. With exceptional academic performance in high school, Veasley would be granted a full scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. His father would pass away late in his college career and the emotional and highly expressive outlet of music would be therapeutic in coping with his loss. Veasley's influences would span a variety of genres as he tuned his ears into artists like: Curtis Mayfield, Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, and many others. In the 70s when Veasley was seriously involved in music, some pretty incredible musical things were happening. Boundaries were being pushed as different styles like jazz, funk, and rock fused together to blur the lines that seemed to divide them creating new sounds--and ultimately spawning new genres. Because of his remarkable adaptability to many styles of music, Veasley would become a preferred bassist for session work and shows in the 80s. He performed stints with jazz violinist John Blake, saxophonists and avant-gardists Odean Pope and Ornette Coleman, orchestral, jazz, and chamber music flautist/composer Leslie Burrs, Pat Martino, McCoy Tyner, Special EFX, Pieces of a Dream, and Joe Zawinul. Veasley would receive many accolades for his musical ability and achievement--including being voted "Best Bassist" by Jazziz Magazine in 1999. On a gig in 1986, Veasley met the late and great saxophonist Grover Washington Jr. and thereafter would play on several of his recordings. Later, Washington would be featured on each of Veasley's albums up until he died in 1999. Those albums would include Veasley's 1992 debut "Look Ahead", "Signs" (1994), "Soul Control" (1997), and "Love Letters" (1999). These albums also featured other bright stars of contemporary jazz: Rick Braun, Eric Marienthal, George Howard, Chieli Minucci, Joe Zawinul, and Russell Ferrante. "On the Fast Track" (2001), his fifth Heads Up International release, Veasley dedicates the album--and in particular a beautifully soulful and deeply earnest song, "Goodnight Moon"--to his long-time friend Grover Washington Jr. "On "Velvet", Veasley immediately grabs your attention with "Coup Deville"--a bottom-heavy groove with a bluesy verse and catchy chorus. Some Jazz-Pittsburgh.com favorites would be: "Bread Puddin"--a funky and spirited rump-shaking shuffle. Saxophonist, Chris Farr uses a wah wah effect on his tenor sax that adds a cool twist to the tune and his ever tasteful playing. And "Forever" has a classic soul ballad sound with a swelling Hammond organ and lush strings over which Veasley pours buckets of soulful and bluesy phrases. The heavily neo-soul influenced track, "It's Alright" continues the soulful flow with vocalists Mikki Kornegay and Warren Cooper. And the Curtis Mayfield hit "Let's Do It Again" featuring the vocals of Jaguar Wright and John Stephens is nothing short of HOT. Check it out! Gerald Veasley will be in Pittsburgh at the Uptown Crawford Grill's 2nd Annual Jazz Festival Under the Tent on Saturday July 26th!! Find out more about Gerald Veasley at www.geraldveasley.com! Don't forget to sign the Jazz-Pittsburgh Guest List and receive the newsletter to stay tuned to the announcements about what’s going on when and where! Leave any comments and/or suggestions you might have in the Guest Book and spread the word by Telling a Friend! Also view:
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