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Biography
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.
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