After forming in early 2008, Vertigo Jazz Project have taken their stance as one of the premier musical acts on the Southeastern music scene. They continually captivate their audience’s with fresh musical ideas, deep emotional content and rock solid grooves. VJP is based in Asheville, NC. Asheville is considered one of the more upwardly mobile music scenes in the nation, and has become a Mecca for quality musicians. VJP has taken their place as a front-runner. 


Vertigo Jazz Project is known for their compositions and performances through the jazz idiom. But people often ask, “Is this Jazz?” VJP has taken on the task of bridging the gap between multiple genres of music such as Jazz, Funk, Latin, Rock, Jam, Avant-Garde, Classical, World and even Country and Bluegrass. Always maintaining a distinctively recognizable element of jazz VJP takes their varied experience and creates original compositions of their easily recognizable form of music; paying homage to the aforementioned styles, with heavy emphasis on the jazz, soul jazz and world elements. A journalist once said of VJP, “I never knew jazz could make me feel this alive, this free and this sweaty!” (Jason Bugg, Mountain Xpress) 



With the rock solid foundation of new member Danny Iannucci (bass) and the brontosaurus sized backbeat of Sean Mason (drums); Preston Cate (guitar), Justin W. Powell (keyboards) and new member Matt Williams (Electric Violin) are free to explore the many combinations of colors that are used to improvise and compose VJP's unique sound. With an improvisational approach, as well as frequent guest soloists, VJP plays a new show, every show. 



Members of VJP have shared the stage as guest artist and in co-bills with bands and artists such as The Count Basie Orchestra, Umphrey's Mcgee, Kofi Burbridge (Derek Trucks Band, Derek and Susan Soul Stew Review, Jeff Coffin Mu’tet, ARU, YSB), Josh Phillips Folk Festival, The Mantras, The Afromotive, Jeff Sipe (Leftover Salmon, ARU, Jeff Coffin Mu’tet), 56 Hope Road, Drew Emmit (Leftover Salmon), Abigail Washburn, members of The Meters, members of P-Funk, members of Toubab Krewe, Shane Pruitt, members of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, members of Galactic, and more.

On the jazz front they have performed with jazz greats Bobby Watson (solo artist, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, Horizons), Jason Marsalis, John Ellis (Charlie Hunter Group), Gary Smulyan (solo artist; Village Vangaurd), Mike Mcgirk, drummer Jon Riley (Miles Davis, Woody Herman, Vangaurd Jazz Orchestra, Bob Mintzer Big Band, etc.), Chris Cheek (Bill Frisell, Brad Meldhau, & Rutter), Justin Ray (Michael Buble Band), and Jacob Rodriguez (Michael Buble Band).

With members of Yo Mama's Big Fat Booty Band, , The Afromotive, The Spam Allstars, Johnathan Scales Fourchestra, Josh Phillip's Folk Festival, Michael Buble Band, Jeff Sipe, Kofi Burbridge, and many more having already graced the stage with VJP as guest soloists, it is a given that many more fantastic musicians will continue to help VJP make all of their live shows 'head turning!' 


VJP has realized, both collectively and individually, the positive affect that music has on society. The members of VJP have all sought to connect in a positive way with our fellow human beings and share this knowledge that music is a way to knock down the barriers that stand in the way of a peaceful coexistence with each other. VJP knows that the best way for them to share and help is to PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! Thanks for listening.


Frequent side projects include:
Ali Baba’s Tahini (w/ Jake Cinninger of Umphrey’s Mcgee) New Album out now on SCI Fidelity records!!!! Tour dates in Midwest this September!
The Mantras
Josh Blake’s Jukebox
Slow Train Home
The Ocean
Taste.
Asheville Jazz Allstars
Members host Soul Jazz Jam at Mo Daddy’s Bar Every Wednesday for Free!!!!

VJP has recently performed in these storied venues:
The Orange Peel Asheville, NC
Diana Worthem Theater Asheville, NC
Workplay Theater Birmingham, AL
Legends Music Hall Boone, NC
Emerald Lounge Asheville, NC
Boone Saloon Boone, NC
The Double Door Inn Charlotte, NC
The Blind Tiger Greensboro, NC
The Pour House Raleigh, NC
Preservation Pub Knoxville, TN
The Getdown Music Festival and Campout
Blue Plum Festival Johnson City, TN
Telepathic Productions Spring Fling
And many more!!!!!