Member Profile
Primary tabs
Vail Johnson on Arsenio Hall
PRIMARY INSTRUMENT(S):
Bass Guitar
Drums
Electric Upright Bass
Vocals
ADDITIONAL INSTRUMENT(S):
also play drums; live and recording.
TYPE OF WORK DESIRED:
TOURINGRECORDING
CLUB GIGS
PRIVATE PARTIES
TEACHING MUSIC LESSONS
Other
CHART READING/WRITING SKILLS :
WRITE
READ
WRITE
READ
HOME STUDIO :
Home Studio:Yes
No
ENGINEER :
Engineer:Yes
No
ADDITIONAL SKILLS :
Additional Skiills:PRODUCER
ARRANGER
BAND LEADER
ROAD MANAGER
Other
Description:
Electric, fretless and electric upright basses and vocals R&B/ Pop/ Jazz/ Rock/ Gospel/ Country /Latin and Brasilian styles. Music director for Kenny G and others. Studio engineer and production, as well.
Resume / Bio:
VAIL JOHNSON
bassist vocalist songwriter
“Vail is one of the rare breed who excel in both the studio and on stage” KENNY G
“stellar musician” KEB' MO'
“He’s a monster!” HERBIE HANCOCK
“Vail can move audiences just on the strength of his aggressive play”LA Times BILL KOHLHAASE
“ Vail plays his face off!” ARSENIO HALL
“Explosive.... Rhythm stomping!” LA Times DON HECKMAN
“I am always looking forward to my next musical adventure, be it live shows, recording or writing.
I am inspired by making music, not just with old friends, but new ones, as well” VAIL JOHNSON
Soul, Rock, Blues, Funk, Jazz, Country, Latin, Folk, Brasilian...Vail has you covered for stellar bass (4 and 5- string, fretted or fretless and electric upright) and excellent backing vocals. Always the right part for every song.
TOURS OF THE WORLD and ELSEWHERE
Kenny G current since 1986; Keb' Mo' current since 2011 Also; Herbie Hancock, Michael Bolton, Peabo Bryson, Edgar Winter, James Ingram, Patti Austin, David Benoit, Kieko Matsui, Paula Abdul, Warren Hill, Gil Scott Heron, Whitney Houston, George Benson, Carmine Appice, Frank Gambale, Eric Marienthal, Chris Botti, Kirk Whalum, David Cassidy, Phil Perry, Steve Perry and more...
SELECT RECORDING and VIDEO
KENNY G Duotones, Silhouette, Kenny G LIVE, Breathless: all multi-platinum KEB' MO' The Reflection; EDGAR WINTER Winter Blues
WARREN HILL Truth; Devotion; Shelter; Life /Rose Colored Glasses; Love Life STEVIE NICKS The Other Side of the Mirror
YOUNG MC That’s the Way Love Goes, ERIC MARIENTHAL; Walk Tall WHITNEY HOUSTON Bodyguard
VAIL JOHNSON solo CD's Terminator, Says Who, Underground, Come Together
Country Soul, FLOW
More including PAULA ABDUL<MC HAMMER< SMOKEY ROBINSON< JELLYBEAN
CLAY CROSSE<RITA COOLIDGE<KATHY TROCCOLI etc., etc., etc.
TELEVISION
The ARSENIO HALL SHOW many times as both a solo guest and with Kenny G The TONIGHT SHOW; 16 times with Kenny G; The MAGIC HOUR (Magic Johnson) With
David Cassidy; The AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS, SOUL TRAIN AWARDS, Soul Train Christmas, VH-1 Honors, BET on Jazz, Solid Gold, Billboard Music Awards, Oprah Winfrey, Dick Clarks’ “In Person at the Palace” and many foreign shows whose names I can’t pronounce
AWARDS
Guitar World Magazine Bassist of the Year; Bass Player Magazine Jazz Bassist of the Year