Vasti Jackson: Biography2

Guitarist, vocalist, songwriter,

producer, arranger

Vasti Jackson

is all of these

and more.

In 1979 Vasti moved to Atlanta and worked the club and session scene.

He return to Jackson, Ms. to contribute guitar and string arrangements to two Tommy Tate singles, "You Taught Me How To Love" and "Standing at the End of the World" before heading to Los Angeles. Back in Mississippi, Vasti hooked up with Drummer Glen Holmes who introduced him to Bobby Rush in the spring of 1981, which lead to the "Sue" session at Malaco were Vasti played bass and guitar. This lead to sessions with the labels gospel greats "The Jackson Southernaires", "The Sensational Williams Brothers"and R&B and Blues artist Denise Lasalle, Latimore, Z. Z. Hill, Johnnie Taylor, and G. C. Cameron.

Vasti with Bobby Rush

Vasti was Z. Z. Hills musical Director and guitarist from 1981 until Z. Z.'s death in 1984 and played on Hill's "I'm a Blues Man", "The Rhythm and the Blues" and "In Memoriam". Vasti co-produced and co-wrote the G. C. Cameron "Give me your Love" project, and when Johnnie Taylor signed with Malaco Vasti became Taylor's musical director / guitarist and wrote "383 Emergency" for Taylor and recorded the "Live at the Fairmont" VHS video.

In 1987, Vasti teamed up again with Bobby Rush which lead to work on "What's Good for the Goose", "A Man Can Give it", "I Ain't Studdin' You", "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show" etc. 1987 also found Vasti back in gospel, this time recording and performing with Philip Bailey of "Earth Wind and Fire" and Daryl Coley.

The licks that Vasti picked up from Wayne Bennett and Mel Brown while on his first road tour in 1978 where put to good use in 1988 when Bobby Bland asked Vasti to cover the guitar spot that both Bennett and Brown had shared.

Little Milton Campbell & Vasti

In 1989 after doing a West Coast tour with Little Milton Campbell Vasti began production and guitar work at the Record Plant in Sausalito, CA with Blues singer Ernie Johnson. After returning to Mississippi in September of that same year Vasti received a call from B.B. King's former bassist, Russell Jackson and drummer Toney Coleman inviting Vasti to audition for the guitar spot with Katie Webster. Within two weeks Vasti was on stage with the Swamp Boogie Queen at the Bumpershoot Festival in Seattle, Washington.

Vasti was featured in Guitar Player magazine's Pro's Reply (October '89 pg. 21) as one of Mississippi's hottest guitarists.

Vasti with Kym Mayzelle

While in Chicago with Katie in 1989 Vasti was asked by Alligator records president, Bruce Iglauer to co-produce and play guitar on Katie Webster's "Two Fisted Mama" CD on which Vasti wrote "Money Honey or Honey Hush" and co-wrote "Stood Up Again" and sang with Webster on "Love Deluxe". 1990 found Vasti touring Europe with Kym Mazzelle and Katie Webster. Upon returning to the states Vasti received a call from Bruce Iglauer at Alligator records asking Vasti to return to the studio with Katie Webster as producer and guitarist on her "No Foolin' CD. For which Vasti wrote "No Deposit, No Return", "Too Much Sugar for a Dime" and "Tangled".

While in the studio with Katie, Vasti meet guitarist Donald Kinsey, who later asked Vasti to tour with the Kinsey Report and Big Daddy Kinsey. After the Kinsey Report tour in 1991, Vasti hit the road with Katie doing festivals in Europe and America. While performing at the "Lionel Hampton Jazz Club" in Paris, France B. B. King came to one of the shows and while on break B. B. talked about getting together on something in near future.