Webster’s Dictionary defines artist as: “One who practices and professes an imaginative art; a person skilled or proficient in one of the fine artistic; a performer.” According to any of these definitions Vernon Reid, guitarist and composer, is an artist. His art is always in progress. He started his career on the New York jazz/funk/punk scene with Ronald Shannon Jackson and led Living Colour’s pioneering rock band. He also collaborated with choreographers Bill T. Jones, Donald Byrd, and guitarist Carlos Santana. Living Colour is Vernon Reid’s most famous accomplishment. Vernon Reid founded Living Colour in New York City in 1985. He led the band through an extraordinary career. The highlights include a debut album, Vivid, which was released in 1988 and its gold-certified successor Time’s Up. Also, two consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Hard Rock Performance. Opening for the Rolling Stones’ 1989 tour “Steel Wheels”, as well as appearing on the Lollapalooza Tour in 1991. Vernon is delighted to be back with Living Colour and is proud of Collidescope, their album released on Sanctuary Records in October 2003. Vernon is also involved in his usual activities. He has released “Mistaken identity”, his first solo album, in 1996. He also collaborated with choreographers Bill T. Jones and Donald Byrd on the “Still/Here,” and “Jazztrain” albums. He performed “Party ‘Til The End of Time” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with The Roots. This was a tribute to the end of the millennium featuring music from Prince’s album “1999”. BAM’s children’s program, “Bring Your Beats”, was also composed by him. Vernon also produced records for Resort (a Mexican hard-rock group), and two Grammy-nominated albums: “Papa”, by Salif Keita, and “Memphis Blood” by James “Blood” Ulmer. Vernon Reid also produced Blood’s latest album, “No Escape From the Blues”, which was released in September 2003. He is also featured on “Guitar Oblique”, (Knitting Factory Records), with Elliot Sharp and guitarists David Torn. Vernon was also featured on the “Magic Science” program presented by BAM in Seattle, and the Experience Music Project (Seattle), which features Medesky, Martin.
