Gerald Veasley pays homage to Grover Washington, Jr.

Bassist Gerald Veasley will perform a special holiday themed tribute to the late Grover Washington, Jr. today at the Miller Center for the Arts in Reading, Pennsylvania.

The tribute comes 10 years after Washington died of a heart attack while in the green room for “The Early Show” on CBS in New York City. Veasley had been performing with him at that time, as he had for several years on and off.

Joining Veasley and his band will be Eric Darius, on saxophone, to fill the shoes of Washington.

Veasley learned a lot from Washington, who he deeply respected. “He was a complete musician who was open to anything,” he said.