Friday, March 29, 2024

Jackie Venson, Female Guitarist Phenom, to Play L.A. This Friday

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*One of the first things audiences notice about guitarist Jackie Venson when she walks on stage to perform is she’s a woman … a beautiful woman. A real eye pleaser.

Yet, for those who’ve never heard or seen her perform, the question is: Can she really play guitar, or is she a gimmick rooted in a beautiful and sexy look, devoid of real musical substance?

Once on stage, it doesn’t take Venson long to clear up all doubts about her singing and guitar-playing acumen, as she demands everyone’s undivided attention with her fearless and incredible style of playing, coupled with a signature vocal presentation. Really, hyperbole is not necessary to describe Venson’s vocal and musical talents.

On Friday, March 2, Venson will bring her vocal and musical talents to Los Angeles, when she and her band perform at Hotel Café, 1623 ½ N. Cahuenga Blvd. The following night, Venson performs in Santa Barbara at The Loberto Theater, 33 E. Cannon Perdido St. The performances will support her hot new album, “Transcends.”

Born and raised in the music-rich city of Austin, Texas, interestingly, Venson played piano, which ultimately earned her admissions to Berklee College of Music in Boston, Mass. However, in her senior year, Venson experienced a musical revelation.

“I became bored playing piano and didn’t want to play it anymore,” Venson told EUR’s Lee Bailey during a phone interview. “I wanted to switch to guitar, but I couldn’t find a teacher at Berklee that would teach me, not even privately. But I knew that I had to play the guitar.”

Unfazed, Venson bought a guitar book and learned to play bar cords, basic scales, and listened to recordings by other guitarists. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in contemporary arranging, writing and music production, with piano still her principal instrument, Venson returned to Austin. Yet, she pursued her obsession to play and master the guitar.

“I really love the electric guitar,” said Venson, who’s heavily influenced by such guitar greats as B.B. King, Buddy Guy and George Benson. “I love how the guitar can sound with the distortion pedal, and how you can make it sound like a singer. It’s something that I want to hear all the time.”

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After playing in blues and other music jam sessions around Austin, Venson formed her own band and began recording original songs and music she wrote and arranged. Since 2013, Venson has recorded and released two albums and three EPs. She has also been nominated for the 2018 “Artist of the Year” honors at the Austin Music Awards.

One of the most unique things about Venson, as a performing and recording artists, is that she refuses to box herself into playing one or two genres of music. Her musical portfolio contains an eclectic favoring of blues, rock, R&B, country, funk, neo-soul, and reggae.

“I’m all over the place, because I play music in the genres that I feel,” said Venson. “I do what’s best for the songs I write, not what’s best for a certain brand, or it’s not going to work for me. However, regardless of what genre I choose to sing, record or perform songs in, you can count on them being groovy and funky. That I promise.”

Career wise, Venson, 27, is surprised at where she is today, having played guitar for just six years.

“I thought it would take ten years or longer to become really good on the guitar,” said Venson. “I’m much farther ahead, but I’m not where I want to be. And there are some other areas of music that I would like to explore, such as I would love to write a film score for a movie or television production. But, I’m humble and know my time will come as I evolve musically.”

While Venson continues to evolve, she wants to continue to perform for audiences around the globe. She also knows the more she performs live, the more audiences will hear her vocals and musicality grow. Audiences will also still see a voluptuously beautiful and sensual performer. Venson, however, doesn’t try to hide what comes naturally, but has an interesting perspective of her imagery.

“Looking good on stage helps, but I don’t want to make my looks the focus of my performance, where it looks cheap or with gimmicks,” Venson said. “I don’t want it where people become my fans because of how I look. At the end of the day I want it to be about my songwriting, singing and musical skills on guitar, because that’s what I’ve spent my whole life developing.”

For more information about vocalist and guitarist Jackie Venson, and her upcoming performances in Southern California and other national and international venues and dates, log on to www.jackievenson.com.

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