What am I
passionate about?
Many people and many things. My list starts in order
of priority and then tails off into various things.
Faith - I have a Christian faith so the
top of my list is having Jesus Christ as my savior. I don't try and push or
force my faith on to others but it's the main part of who I am.
Partner - Then comes my love for my wife,
Pat, who has been a great source of encouragement to me in life, including with
my music making.
Children - My four sons and daughters and my
grandchildren are my next passion, even when they don't laugh at my jokes!
Music - This is and has been a passion
since I was very young. I am a guitarist, song writer and vocalist who can be
found performing solo and in duo's and larger bands. I love good music,
whatever the genre but I particularly like and play Soul, Jazz, Funk, Reggae
and Blues. I grew up in London and was in the same class at school as the
drummer from The Sex Pistols and the same year at school as the guitarist with
The Sex Pistols. I also used to hang out with (play football (soccer to my
American friends) with the bass player from Culture Club. I started playing in
reggae and funk bands in London, including playing upstairs at Ronnie Scott's
Jazz Club and have played many music/jazz festivals (Wigan Jazz Festival,
Marlborough Jazz Festival and Southport Jazz Festival for example) in the UK.
Two of the highlights were playing support for Courtney Pine CBE at the
Nantwich Jazz & Blues Festival and being a featured artist on Jazz FM. I
absolutely love the music of Stevie Wonder, Bill Withers, George Benson and
funk bands of the 1970's. I lead community singing for people who suffer with
dementia and I am passionate about making smile and laugh through music. I have
been featured on various radio shows including Tracey Edges who has been
featured in this blog. Tracey is a legend!!
Oh
and I love reading, and, visiting the theatre and art galleries when I can.
Encouraging others
I
am passionate about encouraging and supporting other artists (not just
musicians) in any way that I can. I believe that we all need encouragement!!
Travel
I
have travelled extensively around Europe, North Africa and the Middle East,
with an American Multinational Company that I used to work for and also in a
private capacity on holiday and doing relief work and I love to travel. My
three trips to the USA (Memphis twice and Atlanta once) have been highlights
especially visiting Martin Luther King Jr's church in Atlanta, Elvis Presley's
home- Graceland's and Sun Studios in Memphis.
Oh
yes and there is a certain football team (soccer) called Queen's Park Rangers
(QPR) that I follow. They aren't doing very well at the moment but I am still
passionate for them to win every game that they play!
I
gig regularly in the UK, mainly in the North West of England, but have gigged
and gig in other parts of the country
too. I have performed & appeared on Tunisian and Turkish TV.
One
of my sisters is a actress, dancer and singer who has performed around the
world. We used to pretend we were running shows and performing at them when we
were around eight years old. I don't think I have changed since growing up tee
hee!
Music Now
I
love to deliver a heady cocktail of smooth jazz with a hard edge of funk and
soul and laced with reggae, Latin and blues!!
I
have released several recordings (albums) to date, mostly cover versions of
songs until my most recent release called "What Will You Do?".
"What Will You Do?" which is a CD and Digital Release of 16 songs
composed by Vernon Fuller. It contains love songs and social commentary songs
ranging from soul, jazz, Latin and reggae in style. With guitars, male and
female vocals, bass guitar, percussion, drums, keyboards and trumpet, Vernon
has already performed some of these songs live on several radio stations.
Here is what the owner of Ghostnote Records, Paula McCool
says about the album:
“With this album Vernon displays his guitar prowess and versatility
through many musical styles. Being fresh and uplifting as always Vernon and his
band are talented, vibrant performers with masses of drive and feel, something
that I feel is vitally important in song writing and the production of music.
The title track ‘What Will You Do’? stands out with its flowing Latin inspired
beats, and hugely danceable rhythm. The Benson feel of ‘For You’ effortlessly
blends into the lush reggae of ‘See that Girl’. ‘Last Kiss’ is evocative of
Leon Russell’s song writing at its finest, and ‘Love Isn’t Love’ instantly
draws you into a New York club atmosphere; the whole sound of this particular
track is warm, immediate, and expansive with a whole-band feel. The whole
album, in fact, has a wonderfully tactile quality that is timeless and
engaging.”
Another review, this time by It Matters Radio said:
‘Free Butterfly’ is one of the most beautiful
yet haunting songs I’ve heard in quite a while.
Vernon’s voice emits such emotion.'- It Matters
Radio
Links to contact Vernon Fuller
Facebook: Vernon Fuller
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/VernonFullerGrooveMusic
Twitter: @FretJazz
Links to hear music by Vernon Fuller
Free Android Mobile/Cell Phone App
for Vernon Fuller
Vernon Fuller on YouTube
Buy individual songs or complete
Vernon Fuller albums
Some
of the online digital retailers that you can buy from are:
Amazon
MP3; iTunes; Google Play; Deezer; eMusic; Last.fm; Rhapsody; Rdio
