Mississippi-native Vasti Jackson is real blues renaissance man-skilled at nearly every facet of the music industry. Vasti is a guitarist (electric and acoustic), vocalist, songwriter, actor, educator, front-man, side-man, bandleader arranger, session musician, label owner, and producer. He can focus like a laser and knows how to get the job done no matter what you put in front of him.
Brett J. Bonner Editor, Living Blues Magazine

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Petropolis Jazz, and Blues Festival
But the big name of the night was the American guitarist Vasti Jackson, who raised the festival audience to a frenzy with a presentation that included blues, soul, funk, and jazz. The guitarist honored Petropolis city with a portugues arrangement, played with the audience, danced and demonstrated that he is also a "showman" on the stage"
By Andreia Constancio for Regiao Serrano, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil.

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Vasti is not only uncommon guitarist with a transcendant talent. He is a true "entertainer" with the ability to hypnotize the audience with his 40 years' experience and his diaboical guitar. He is among the few bluesmen who have come to Caxias with the true sign of having made a deal with the devil, like a modern Robert Johnson.

Vasti, today's attraction in the House of Culture, in one more Mississippi in concert, did not create any blues standard played to exhaustion. but, on the stage, he delivers an incendiary performance, much like Jimi Hendrix at Monterey - without burning his guitar. Leader of the best show in the history of the Miss. Delta blues Festival in Nov. 2011, the American guitarist is one of those who "plays" for the audience. He puts the guitar on his shoulders, and points there and here vigorously, using the blues as a base to enter into reggae, into gospel, into soul.

This is, perhaps, his secret. His blues have soul, and because of this, they are genuine.
by Tiago Garziera

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Nov. 5th, 2014 Hello All, I spent last week filming, composing, and recording music for the " Zydeco Crossroads" project.  The film shows the influence of blues on traditional Cajun music that brought forth the Zydeco genre.   My original composition " Zydeco Crossroads" is used for the theme song. ZYDECO CROSSROADS, is part of a 15 month long project of the same name, being organized by the public radio station in Philadelphia, WXPN, that also produces the syndicated music radio show titled WORLD CAFÉ, hosted by David Dye and broadcast over almost ALL of the 240+ public radio/NPR affiliated stations around the US. XPN is also working with Lafayette public radio station, KRVS, and their on-air zydeco show host/expert, Herman Fuselier, will be creating 13 one hour zydeco shows to be broadcast each month over WXPN as part of the big project.www.robertmugge.com More Info. Here
Nov. 5th, 2014 Playing For Change receives 2014 Game Changers Awards from Asia Society, and performs at United nations. Founders Mark Johnson, and Whitney Kroenke at United Nations with Asia Society Director, global Performing Arts and Cultural Initiatives Rachel Cooper, Keiko Komaki, Nori Naraoka, Mermans Mosengo, and Vasti Jackson. Visit site HERE
Nov. 5th, 2014 I am honored, and excited to be invited to speak, and perform at TEDx November 6, Jackson, MS. Visit site HERE I am honored with the invitation to perform at the 2014 Association of International Educators NAFSA
		I am humbled, proud, and overjoyed to now be an official Cultural Ambassador of Mississippi. This honor was bestowed to me June 13, 2014 at the Saenger Theater during the Festival South presentation of Robert Jonson: The Man the Myth The Music. I will continue sharing the music, and culture of Mississippi with the world. Pictured with me is Alan Ballard Henderson, Program Director for Mississippi development Authority. God bless, Vasti. Large photo HERE
		Great news! I have been invited to join the Playing For Change "Peace Through Music" tour. First stop is Kennedy Center in Washington, DC with John Legend. May 28, 2014. Dates and locations
		Vasti Jackson at the –66th Annual conference On World Affairs April 8, 2014 I was invited to perform, and speak at the 66th Annual conference On World Affairs. My original jazz compostion "Josiette" was selected to be performed with the CWA Allstar Jazz Orchestra Tuesday April 8, 2014. Left - Vasti, Henry Butler and Lillian Boutte. Full Story Here Click on Pictures to enlarge
Theatre stage Theatre stage Dave Grusin, Vasti Jackson, Derek Nash, Ricardo Silveira, and Abraham Laboriel Mama C, from Tanzinia, and Vasti Jackson
		Posted by Blues Matters on Nov 21, 2013 in Interviews Vasti Jackson – cut him open, it read MUSIC. This interview proves the point that the greats do not get to where they are by talent alone. Success just doesn’t come to slackers. Vasti Jackson is a musician for all seasons, with so much passion, and for all the right reasons. Vasti Jackson is a melting pot of ethnic genes and genres, on stage he fizzes like liver salts. His story re-enforces the “Immersed to be well- versed” approach to a musical education. Pronounced Vast-eye, this guy is a misnomer being from Mississippi, his speed is much more Northern and plugged in. Blues Matters loves to listen, and Blues Matters loves to share….so enjoy." Full Interview Here
		Concert em Caxias do Sul - RS - Brasil em 09/10/2013 Vasti is not only an uncommon guitarist with a transcendant talent. He is a true "entertainer" with the ability to hypnotize the audience with his 30 years' experience and his diaboical guitar. He is among the few bluesmen who have come to Caxias with the true sign of having made a deal with the devil, like a modern Robert Johnson. Vasti, today's attraction in the House of Culture, in one more Mississippi in concert, did not create any blues standard played to exhaustion. but, on the stage, he delivers an incendiary performance, much like Jimi Hendrix at Monterey - without burning his guitar. Leader of the best show in the history of the Miss. Delta blues Festival in Nov. 2011, the American guitarist is one of those who "plays" for the audience. He puts the guitar on his shoulders, and points there and here vigorously, using the blues as a base to enter into reggae, into gospel, into soul. This is, perhaps, his secret. His blues have soul, and because of this, they are genuine. by Tiago Garziera." YouTube.com videos Here
		The Mississippi Musicians Hall of Fame has produced over an hour of film and two booklets covering the state's music history from the Civil War to the present. In addition, the music history kits teache other subjects such as Mississippi Studies, civil rights, geography, economics as well as music appreciation. The MS Department of Education competencies are taught and the program was partly funded by the Mississippi Humanities Council. As one evaluator said, "The major strength of this project is that it provided inspiration and a valuable resource for teachers to use in their classrooms." Cost: $14.95 + $5.00 S&H Email Vasti direct to order this DVD
		Oct. 14, 2013 2013 South American tour highlights. Petropolis Jazz, and Blues Festival October 11, 2013 "But the big name of the night was the American guitarist Vasti Jackson, who raised the festival audience to a frenzy with a presentation that included blues, soul, funk, and jazz. Accompanied by bassist Cesar Lago and by drummer Beto Wether, the guitarist honored Petropolis city with a portugues arrangement, played with the audience, danced and demonstrated that he is also a "showman" on the stage." By Andreia Constancio for Regiao Serrano, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Full Article Here

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Vasti will be joining Playing For Change Sept. 11, 2013 Vasti will be joining Playing For Change, along with Keb Mo and James Densmore (The Doors) at the famed Whiskey A Go Go on the Sunset Strip in Hollywood, Ca on September 21st. Vast also recorded guitar for the PFC "Songs Around The World" CD , and appears in the DVD that includes Keith Richards (Rolling Stones), and Bono (U2) and will be released in Early 2014. For more information on Playing for Change visit links below. playingforchange.com For the Songs Around The World and the Band playingforchange.org For the PFC Music Schools and Foundation playingforchangeday.org 1LOVE PLAYING FOR CHANGE DAY

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		Blues, Obama, and America | Henry Rollins' Capitalism: Jackson, October 22, 2012 Henry Rollins speaks with bluesman Vasti Jackson about the genre as it evolved from communication between enslaved Africans to 2012 pro-Obama anthems. Watch on YouTube Here

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The Mix: The Mississippi Blues Project
by JONNY MEISTER
October 1, 2012
The Mississippi Blues Project, produced by WXPN in Philadelphia, is a yearlong endeavor that showcases the rich musical heritage of the Magnolia State. From R.L. Burnside, Willie Dixon and Cassandra Wilson to Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and the North Mississippi All Stars, the project features a comprehensive look at the history and future of Mississippi blues, with live concert videos, audio recordings, essays and photos.
Full Article Here