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Gerald Veasley

Born in Philadelphia, Gerald Veasley has a varied and impressive resume' that includes recording and/or stints with Joe Zawinul of Weather Report, his longtime friend and mentor, the late Grover Washington Jr., McCoy Tyner, The Dixie Hummingbirds, Odean Pope, Special EFX, Joe McBride, Teddy Pendergrass, Phil Perry, Chieli Minucci, Dianne Reeves, George Howard, Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire, Kenny Blake, Pamela Williams, Eric Marienthal, Onaje Alan Gumbs, Omar Hakim, and many more. He has shared stages and tours with Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie. Gerald was recently named "Best Electric Bassist" in Jazziz magazine's annual readers' poll and Philadelphia Magazine named him Best Jazz Band. Veasley was nominated and voted as President of the Philadelphia charter of NARAS "The Grammy People" and is credited by author Allan Slutsky as a key contributor to his classis book/CD set, "Standing In The Shadows Of Mo-Town - The Life and Music Of Legendary Bassist James Jamerson".

He started playing the bass at age twelve and recalls learning a great deal from in-home jam sessions with friends of his musically inclined parents. He was inspired by his parents’ hard work and sacrifices as they gave him a good stable home life and appreciation of education. As an outstanding academic high school graduate he earned a complete four year full academic scholarship to the University of Pennsylvania. During his third year, Veasley lost his father. To deal with the loss, he focused on music, listening to records featuring Charles Mingus, Wes Montgomery, Grand Green and Ron Carter. These all-night affairs would also include Veasley teaching himself how to improvise, transcribe solos and studying chord progressions. Veasley took up studying classical guitar to expand his range as a musician.

"There were several factors which led me to choose music as a profession," he says. "Basically, it always moved me emotionally and offered me a way to express things I couldn't find words for. When my father died, I had a hard time coming to grips with the trauma, and music proved very therapeutic."

The mostly high-profile sideman gigs came in rapid succession for Gerald starting in the early Eighties. Depending on who he was hooked up with, he displayed a starting affinity for all sorts of styles. He played avant-garde music with saxophonist Odean Pope, did orchestra dates with the flutist Leslie Burrs, and joined violinist John Blake's group for a U.S. tour and three albums on Gramavision.

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340
Album Review

Gerald Veasley: At the Jazz Base!

Read "At the Jazz Base!" reviewed by Woodrow Wilkins


Make it funky! That's the first impression you get on “Shango, the opening track of Gerald Veasley's new recording, which sets the tone for an enjoyable hour of music that's a little bit smooth, a little bit funk, and a lot of groove. With a supporting cast that includes saxophonist Chris Farr, drummer Eric Greene, and conguero/percussionist Pablo Batista, Veasley is clearly in the zone.All but one of the ten songs on At the Jazz Base! are Veasley ...

181
Album Review

Gerald Veasley: Love Letters

Read "Love Letters" reviewed by Dave Nathan


A mixture of smooth and hip hop issued under the name of jazz, Gerald Veasley's album for the Heads Up label is a combination of pablum and sedative. If your lucky, it will put you to sleep before it drives you crazy with boredom, because each track is virtually indistinguishable from every other track. No dynamics here and each tune is performed in that seamless, stream of consciousness manner that seems to characterize this musical style. In sum, it doesn't ...

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185

Event

Aguilar Amplification Announces Master Class with Gerald Veasley

Aguilar Amplification Announces Master Class with Gerald Veasley

Source: All About Jazz

Aguilar Amplification, maker of high-quality bass amplifiers, speaker cabinets and accessories for bassists is pleased to announce the continuation of their Artist Series Master Classes on Saturday, March 7, 2009 with endorsing artist, Gerald Veasley. The clinic, entitled Improvisation for Everybody, will focus on demystifying some of the concepts and approaches to soloing. Veasley is a well-respected bassist, composer, producer and educator. He has been voted Best Electric Bassist by Jazziz Magazine and his resume includes tenures with Joe Zawinul, ...

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Festival

Town of Duck Announces 2nd Annual Jazz Festival Schedule

Town of Duck Announces 2nd Annual Jazz Festival Schedule

Source: All About Jazz

The Town of Duck is holding its Second Annual Jazz Festival on Sunday October 12 2008. The Duck Jazz Festival will be held on the main stage in the Duck Town Park at 1200 Duck Road from 11 am to dusk. The festival is free and open to the public. The schedule for the 2008 Duck Jazz Festival is: 11:00 am :: The First Flight Jazzhawks 12:00 pm :: Connected 01:00 pm ...

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Performance / Tour

Gerald Veasley Performs Jazzy Christmas Celebration with His Quintet at the Kimmel Center December 11

Gerald Veasley Performs Jazzy Christmas Celebration with His Quintet at the Kimmel Center December 11

Source: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

With special guests vocalist Maysa, guitarist Chuck Loeb, pianist Bobby Lyle and saxophonist Kim Waters; background vocalists Ramona Hunter, Kenny Pitt and Zahmu Sankofa

Philadelphia native, bassist and WJJZ 97.5 on-air personality Gerald Veasley performs a special Jazzy Christmas program with his quintet and special guests at the Kimmel Center's Verizon Hall on Tuesday, December 11, 2007 at 8pm. Joining Veasley on stage are special guests vocalist Maysa, guitarist Chuck Loeb, pianist Bobby Lyle and saxophonist Kim Waters for a ...

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Award / Grant

Gerald Veasley Elected As A National Trustee For The National Recording Of Arts & Sciences (NARAS)

Gerald Veasley Elected As A National Trustee For The National Recording Of Arts & Sciences (NARAS)

Source: All About Jazz

Gerald Veasley was elected as a National Trustee by the Board of Governors of the Philadelphia Chapter of the Recording Academy. As a Trustee, Mr. Veasley will serve as a judiciary of the organization, working to increase and maintain the profile and integrity of the Academy, assisting in the development of educational and other existing programs which further the mission of the Academy, and attend National Trustee Meetings twice annually.

Established in 1957, the National Academy of Recording Arts & ...

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Time Traveler

Origin Records
2021

buy

Live at SOUTH

Self Produced
2018

buy

At the Jazz Base!

Heads Up International
2005

buy

Velvet

Atlantic Records
2003

buy

On The Fast Track

Atlantic Records
2001

buy

Time Traveler

From: Time Traveler
By Gerald Veasley

Eleanor Rigby / Norweigian Wood Medley

From: Angel Blue: A Tour of Jazz
By Gerald Veasley

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