JULY 2010: JOHN VESTER SOLO SETS - 7/3/10 6-9:00 PM - Live at Lorimar Winery & Vineyards Temecula, Ca.


JV Live at Lorimar 7/3/10 Temecula, Ca.

John played 2 dates in the Live At Lorimar Series
July 3rd & Oct. 9th 2010
Lorimar Winery & Vineyards in Old Town Temecula, Ca.

Three JV solo sets featuring an emerging crop of new original songs with emphasis on up-tempo americana, toward bluegrass with humor that will become the next JV release, working title: A PIECE OF THE SKY with selections from all 4 JV releases and songs co-written with Venice



LORIMAR WINERY & VINEYARDS
42031 Main St. #C
Temecula, Ca. 92590
(951) 240-5177
http://www.lorimarwinery.com

JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS, Tuesday Nights in December '09 - Residency at The Stronghold

THE STRONGHOLD
12/1, 12/8, 12/15 - 10:00 PM
1625 Abbot Kinney Blvd.
Venice, Ca. 90291
(310) 399-7200
info@thestrongholdla.com
thestronghold.com

Venice, Ca. Folk Americana songwriter

JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS: RICH MANGICARO percussion, CARL BYRON accordion, STAN BEHRENS harmonica, MARIA VESTER harmony vocals, with special guest MARK LENNON (when possible).

Will be in residence at the Stronghold in Venice the first 3 tuesday nights in December working out an eclectic mix of new songs that will become the next JOHN VESTER release on Venetian Records, working title: A PIECE OF THE SKY (with selections from John's previous releases). Local/Global songwriter TOM FREUND played his special brand of Folk Americana to very appreciative, growing audiences in a residency at The Stronghold every tues. at 10:00 in November. Please come out & help us continue this new tradition in December of live original music at this great new venue, & catch the earliest stages of a fun developing underground speakeasy Folk Americana concert scene in Venice!

Opening acts at 9:00 PM:
12/1 ALANA SWEETWATER
12/8 BRUNO with TALKBACK
12/15 ADAM EZRA

$10 donation requested

johnvester.com | facebook | myspace

The latest release by JOHN VESTER on Venetian Records ALL THE WAY OUT WEST is now on CD Baby's Editors Picks (Folk Americana). Hear all tracks with nice editors review at: cdbaby.com/cd/johnvester

OCTOBER 2009: JOHN & MARIA VESTER 10/17/09 8:00 PM Zoey's Cafe Ventura, CA

ZOEY'S CAFE
451 E. Main St.
Ventura, Ca. 93001
(805) 652-1137
www.zoeyscafe.com

We'll play a 30 minute set opening for Grammy nominated, great vocalist PERLA BATALLA & master songwriter DAVID BATTEAU

8:00 JOHN & MARIA VESTER
8:45 PERLA BATALLA & DAVID BATTEAU
9:45 JOHN CODY

Please join us for a special evening of original music at our first appearance at this very nice venue in Ventura, Ca.

$15 door

JOHN & MARIA VESTER, Sunday 9/20/09 6:00 PM Allyn's Cafe Cincinnati, Ohio

JOHN & MARIA VESTER

Allyn's Cafe
3538 Columbia Pkwy.
Cincinnati Ohio 45226-2140
(513) 871-5779
allynscafe.net

2 sets 6:00 & 7:00 before The Bluebirds at 9:00

Please join us for a special evening of original songs (Folk Americana with widely varying influences) by Venice, California songwriter JOHN VESTER originally from Cincinnati, returning to play for old friends & family for the first time in 35 years!

With MARIA VESTER singing harmony & Special Guests sitting in!

SEPTEMBER 2009: JOHN & MARIA VESTER - 9/18/2009 HOUSE CONCERT AT EJ & JULIE GLASER'S, St. Louis, Missouri

House Concert at EJ & JULIE GLASER'S  

E.J. and Julie are thrilled to present our first ever house concert.

Friday, September 18 at 7:30 PM at our house at 1506 Windridge Dr. Des Peres, MO 63131

You are invited for a very special evening of original music (Folk Americana with widely varying influences) by Venice, CA songwriter and close friend (yes, he’s originally from Cincinnati) John Vester. John will be joined by his new bride, Maria Vester who will be singing harmony along with some other friends sitting in. John and I have been great friends since the age of 15 and have had many escapades together that hopefully have not made it into any of his songs. The evening will open with a few songs by Glaze and the Moonkings and then we’ll settle in for 2 great sets from John.

Beer and wine along with great Hors D’ Oeuvres will be in plentiful supply and the suggested donation for the evening is only $15.00 per person. All the money will go to the feature act (it’s a long way from California).

The house is open at 7:30 and the show will start at 8:00 PM. Please email ejglaser@charter.net or call 314 965 7959 to RSVP. We sure hope you can make it for this special event. If you have any other friends you would like to bring – please do.

Thanks,

E. J & Julie

AUGUST 2009: JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS - SATURDAY AUGUST 29th 2009 7:30 p.m. Venice, CA

House Concert at RAY FLORES BOARD GALLERY
1510 Pacific Ave.
Venice, Ca. 90291

JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS will perform the first ever house concert at RAY FLORES BOARD GALLERY 8/29/09

FOR RESERVATIONS email: bluewindow@live.nl
or call: (310) 827-2256
Website: www. rayfloresboardgallery.com

Please join us for an evening of fresh new original Venice music, & help us start up a fun new alternative concert venue at Ray's gallery right here in the heart of downtown Venice, Ca. USA!

7:15 Doors Open ($15 Donation at door)
7:30 Opening set by MAETAR
8:00 JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS Set I
8:50 Intermission
9:10 JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS Set II

JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS (RICH MANGICARO percussion, STAN BEHRENS harmonica, CARL BYRON accordion, JIM WEST guitar & lapsteel, MARIA VESTER vocals, with Special Guest MARK LENNON of the band VENICE) will play 2 sets of mainly new works that will become the next release by JOHN VESTER on Venetian Records, working title: A PIECE OF THE SKY

cdbaby.com/cd/johnvester | facebook | myspace
MAETAR, brothers Hagai & Itai Izraeli will open with their special brand of 'jazz/funk/world/mideast/classical/free/rock/other' original music, that will contrast nicely from & lead well into the more rootsy 'surf cowboy' Americana of JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS

myspace.com/maetar

JULY 2009: JOHN & MARIA VESTER 7/22/09 9:00 CLUB 705

Just back from some fun concerts in Holland, JOHN & MARIA VESTER will play mainly new JV songs, continuing to work out their new (Maria) & old (John) singing couple format, at this weekly South Bay Songwriters Series hosted by old friend ALFRED JOHNSON & new friend JODI SIEGEL (30 minute set around 9:00)


CLUB 705
705 Pier Ave. (near PCH [Sepulveda] & Pier)
Hermosa Beach, California 90254
(310) 392-9705 www.club705.com
Free parking---lot in back

First Ever JOHN VESTER DUTCH QUARTET 7/2/09 De Harmonie Edam, Holland

left to right: ANDREE MANUSAMA dobro, MARIA VESTER vocal, JOHN VESTER, and BEN BOUMAN harmonica

JULY 2009: JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS 7/2/09 9:00 p.m.
De Harmonie Edam, Holland

Greetings to our friends & family in Holland! from Venice, California USA

Late Breaking News!:

JOHN VESTER will return to Holland in July & will perform a special one show only concert July 2nd 2009 9:00 p.m. at De Harmonie, Edam. For reservations email to: info@harmonie-edam.nl or call: 0299-371664.

Featuring the first ever JOHN VESTER Dutch Quartet! introducing MARIA VESTER on harmony vocals! with the return of ANDREE MANUSAMA dobro & BEN BOUMAN harmonica Two sets with intermission will include a collection of very new songs that will become the next JV release---working title: A PIECE OF THE SKY & some old favorites. Please join us at this beautiful old venue in Edam for a special evening of music, a one night only intimate update on John's latest ongoing works in progress, & a happy celebration of the wedding of John & Maria Vester on our first return to Holland since our American/Dutch wedding!

See you soon! Proost!: jv

APRIL 2009: JOHN VESTER & Friends 4/4/09 8:00 Trilogy Guitars

TRILOGY GUITARS

143 Culver Blvd.
Playa Del Rey, Ca. 90293


For tickets/info contact Ryan at Trilogy:
(310) 305-7577
ryan@trilogyguitars.com

JOHN VESTER & Friends MARK LENNON, MARIA VESTER, JIM WEST, RICH MANGICARO, PAT LENNON & STAN BEHRENS return to this special venue playing very new works in progress, selections from the latest JOHN VESTER release on Venetian Records All The Way Out West, & some old favorites

Featuring the return of JIM WEST on guitars & lapsteel & introducing MARIA VESTER on harmony vocals! w/Special Guest MARK LENNON!

Trilogy Guitars is a beautiful, intimate (60 max), triangular shaped, great sounding venue, run by very nice people, at the beach in Playa that will sell out, so call/email for tickets NOW!

JOHN VESTER & Friends 2/1/09 Hollow Body at TRIP

CARL BRYON, STAN BEHRENS (hidden), MARIA VESTER, MARK LENNON, RICH MANGICARO (hidden), JOHN VESTER & JIM WEST

FEBRUARY 2009: Hollow Body at TRIP (2/1/09 9:30 pm)

JOHN VESTER & Friends:
MARK LENNON, JIM WEST,
RICH MANGICARO & STAN BEHRENS
playing songs from All The Way Out West
and some very new works in progress.

Please come out & help us ring in this very
promising new year at this new venue in
our hood with our first show of 2009!

Click for PDF

DECEMBER 2008: First Annual Animal House Christmas Party!

Click image below for full brochure:

OCTOBER 2008: Folk Alliance Far-West Conference Premiere Showcase 8:15 PM 10/25/08

Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel
200 North Centenniel Way
Mesa, AZ 85201

contact:
Renee Bodie, Conference Coordinator
(818) 631-8309
bodiehouse@aol.com

SEPTEMBER 2008: JOHN VESTER:  All The Way Out West on CD Baby Editors Picks!

New release now available on CD Baby, itunes & amazon.com (full jv catalog will be available at CD Baby & affiliates asap). Don't know why we waited so long to make John's work available on CD Baby --- but as soon as we did --- CD Baby responded with the (brilliant!) review below & put us on their Editors Picks.
It's good to hear that someone out there (at CD Baby) is listening. Thanks CD Baby!

CD Baby Independent Music

From CD Baby:

John -

We love your "JOHN VESTER: All the Way Out West" CD so much that we're featuring it in our Editor's Picks section from now on.

We're *really* picky about what we feature. We get about 200-250 new albums a DAY coming in here now, (about 200,000 total), and yours is one of the best we've ever heard.

HERE'S OUR REVIEW:

With a seamless blend of Eastern and Western influences, John Vester has created a delightful, thought-provoking album that's reminiscent of George Harrison and Rufus Wainwright. Vester has Harrison's knack for serpentine, sinewy melodies that are wonderfully melodic, yet crafted with enough skill that you'll love to listen to the album on repeat a few times, so that you can sing along. "Put All Your Heart In A Song" features a droning tambura, wiry violin, and some backwards guitars, all working together to give it a distinctly psychedelic folk/rock, late 60s feel. The first five songs on the album continue with the middle-eastern vibe, but the album takes a bit of a turn on the title track, which is straight up countrified Americana, with layered chorus harmonies, like we might hear from the Traveling Wilburys. From there, the album continues with a stronger western feel, with harmonica, pedal steel guitar, and luscious harmonies on songs like "Warm & Tender Lullabye", while "I Wish I Was Back Home In Cincinnati" feels like an early 70s Dylan track, in the best way.

We find dobro, violin, accordion, and even bagpipes adorning the rest of the album, and the rich diversity of instruments help convey the east-meets-west feeling of the album. Vester's vocals have an honest, earnest quality that is, again, reminiscent of the latter days of George Harrison. It sounds like Vester has spent a good amount of time honing his craft, and this album deserves to be listened to.

http://cdbaby.com/cd/johnvester

We're very proud to be selling your music at CD Baby, so if there's anything we can do to help, please let us know.

Thanks!
CD Baby Editors - Brad, Chris, and Peter 5925 NE 80 Ave, Portland OR 97218-2891, USA

 

SUMMER 2008: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Holland Tour Report

The new release & first ever JV Dutch ensemble were warmly received by our friends in the Netherlands---special thanks to Maria, Andree & Debby, Ben, Matthijs, Niek, Koos & Xenia, to the venues, to our new friends we made in in Holland this trip & old friends who continue to come to our shows over there. (JV Holland Tour #6) That was fun! Proost!


JOHN VESTER: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Holland Tour Nijega 5/3/08: Featuring Andree Manusama on dobro & pedal steel guitar & Ben Bouman on harmonica

MARCH 2008: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Holland Tour dates

  1. Sat. April 19, 2008 8:00 p.m.
    Moluks Historisch Museum Sedjarah Maluku (Moluccan History Museum Theater)
    Kruisstraat 313, 3581 GK UTRECHT
    www.museum-maluku.nl
    tickets E. 15,00
    for reservations email to: bluewindow@live.nl
  2. Thurs. Apr. 24, 2008 9:00 p.m.
    De Harmonie
    Voorhaven 92-94, 1135 BT EDAM
    www.harmonie-edam.nl
    tickets E. 15,00
    for reservations email to: info@harmonie-edam.nl
  3. or call: 0299-371664
  4. Sat. Apr. 26, 2008 7:00 p.m.
    Houseboat Concert in BEEMSTER
    tickets E. 25,00 (including dinner, drinks & concert)
    dinner 7:00 concert 8:00
    (limited seating order soon!)
    for reservations email to: bluewindow@live.nl
  5. Fri. May 2, 2008 8:00 p.m.
    Kafee De Splinter
    Dominicanenstraat 6-8, 5911 KA VENLO
    www.kafeedesplinter.nl
    tickets E. 15,00
    for reservations email to: mbaars13@hotmail.com
    or call: 077-3516029
  6. sat. may 3rd 8:00 p.m. Kommissiehuys
    Kommisjewei 1, 9712 RL NIJEGA
    www.kommissiehuys.nl
    tickets E. 15,00
    for reservations email: info@kommissiehuys.nl
    or noravisser7@hotmail.com or call: 0512-372972/ 06-46212207

APRIL 2008: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Holland Tour

John Vester will return to Holland in april 2008 for his next solo concert tour in support of his new release: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST

In addition to his 4 previous solo tours since 2002, John also toured Holland in 2003 with his friends in the band Venice & in 2005 with the John Vester Mark Lennon duo tour

The John Vester concerts during the upcoming ALL THE WAY OUT WEST tour will feature songs from his new release, along with a colorful mix of songs from his previous releases, songs co-written with Venice, & some very new works in progress

Some shows on the tour will be solo guitar/vocal & on some shows John will be accompanied by Andree Manusama on dobro & or Tollak Ollestad on harmonica

Thanks in advance to all my friends in Holland for coming to my concerts in april/may 2008 at the venues listed below -- I look forward to seeing you all again -- & playing my new (& old) songs for you! Proost!: jv

MARCH 2008: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Release Concert

ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Release Concert
Featuring special guests Michael, Mark, Kipp & Pat Lennon, Rich Mangicaro, Mark Harris, Carl Byron & Stan Behrens

Sun. 3/30/08 7:00 p.m.
McCabes
3101 Pico Blvd. Santa Monica, Ca. 90405

Tickets available at McCabes
or by phone (310) 828-4497
or online at www.mccabes.com

Celebrating the 3/30/08 release date of John Vester's best work to date ALL THE WAY OUT WEST. Playing with good friends who played on the record at one of the coolest venues in the world! We'll play songs on the new record, dust off some chestnuts, & reveal some very new works in progress This will be a fun show! The best JV concert ever! & The Release Concert at McCabes is the send-off to the upcoming ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Holland Tour apr. 16th-may 6th 2008!


ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Release Concert at McCabes 3/30/08
The release concert at McCabes was even more fun than than Trilogy --- a really good band, best range of songs old & new, best gathering of friends & musicians, great sound at a great old venue, best JV concert to date---a great send-off to the upcoming ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Holland Tour (APRIL/MAY 2008). From left to right: Michael Lennon, Mark Harris, Mark Lennon, Rich Mangicaro, John Vester, Carl Byron, Kipp Lennon, Stan Behrens

FEBRUARY 2008: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Pre-Release Concert

ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Pre-Release Concert
Featuring Special Guests Michael & Mark Lennon, Stan Behrens & Rich Mangicaro

Sat. 2/23/08 8:00 p.m.
Trilogy Guitars
143 Culver Blvd. Playa Del Rey, Ca. 90293

For tickets/info contact Ryan at Trilogy either by phone (310) 305-7577 or by e-mail at ryan@trilogyguitars.com

This promises to be a special evening of introducing new songs on the 2008 John Vester release ALL THE WAY OUT WEST. Produced by Michael Lennon & John Vester. We'll dust off some old chestnuts --- and we'll debut some very new works in progress. Trilogy Guitars is a beautiful, intimate (60 max), triangular, great sounding venue that will sell out quickly - call/email for tickets now!



ALL THE WAY OUT WEST Pre-Release Concert at Trilogy Guitars Playa Del Rey, Ca. 2/23/08

John Vester with Michael, Mark, Kipp & Pat Lennon (not pictured: Rich Mangicaro & Stan Behrens). On a very rainy saturday night in Playa Del Rey---jv doesn't look happy in this shot---but he is: his lifetime favorite concert so far

JANUARY 2008: NOVATUNES LAUNCHED!

John Vester at Novatune

The cool new label that John Vester has signed with NOVATUNES officially launched 1/14/08.

Go to: novatunes.com & click on John's photo in artist directory (pg. 3) to get to his artist pages at the label. You can do that without signing up. Sign up at novatunes to download the new DP (digital version) of ALL THE WAY OUT WEST!

JANUARY 2008: VESTERTUNES!

As of January 2008 the sign up for VESTERTUNES email list is now working again. Please sign up by clicking the VESTERTUNES icon to the right. You will then receive an automatic response requesting to send your e address to VESTERTUNES to be notified of upcoming concerts, releases, and news.

DECEMBER 2007: ALL THE WAY OUT WEST NOW AVAILABLE!

Advance copies of John Vester's 4th solo release now available at STORE -- prior to official release date TBA!

AUGUST 2007 - ILLUSTRATIONS FOR NEXT CD COMPLETED (MIXING IN PROGRESS)


Originals of illustrated lyrics and paintings for CDs #2 and 3 (plus several Venice songs) -- 8/5/07


w/originals of hand printed lyrics w/watercolor pen and ink illustrations for The Devil's Playground

JUNE 2007 RECORDING NEXT CD COMPLETED


Recording Pat, Kipp & Michael Lennon - night session 6/19/07. Work in progress: All The Way Out West (Fittingly---all 4 Lennons in the band Venice lend their voices to this new snappy little tune about Venice, Ca. USA --- & give it a rousing hometown chorus!). Thanks again to Michael, Mark, Kipp & Pat---Great to have all 4 of you on this record!


After a long, late night session of getting quick mixes of all 14 work tracks 6/27/07. On 1 CD for the first time---John Vester & Michael Lennon toast to: the next John Vester CD: THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND RECORDING: COMPLETED!

w/a few fixes before beginning to mix in july when Michael returns from the road w/Venice)

VENICE FEST 6/24


Venice Fest 6/24/07 John Vester & Friends (left to right): Mark Lennon (vocal), John Vester (guitar, vocal), Stan Behrens (harmonica), Carl Byron (accordion) live debut of 4 new songs on the next JVCD


John Vester merchandise available at Venice Fest left of Venice The Band merch): 3 solo JVCDs (#4 soon!)/JVML DVD/CD (PAL format only!)/JVML promo CD/ JVCD art prints (nice Venice merch girl in photo: Amber)---thanks Amber1

Joined onstage by members of the band Venice---to debut the new John Vester song about his hometown of 20 years---Venice, Ca, USA: All The Way Out West

It was a fitting song for the occasion & location of the The Venice Fest & lighting of the new Venice sign over Windward Ave.---left to right: Pat Lennon (vocal); Kipp Lennon (vocal); Michael Lennon (drums!?!); Mark Lennon (vocal); Mark Harris (bass); John Vester (guitar/vocal); Stan Behrens harmonica); Carl Byron (accordion)

SUNDAY JUNE 24th 2007:

Venice Fest

Free outdoor concert in downtown Venice, Ca. stage at Windward & Ocean Front Walk.

Short set at 5:00 p.m. before Mark Lennon w/Brig Band at 5:20 then Venice at 6:30

MAY 2007 RECORDING NEXT CD CONTINUES:



Recording the amazing Greg Leisz on pedal steel guitar and dobro, 5/8/07. Work in progress: Lucky You

MARCH 2007 - Recording Next CD with Michael Lennon


2/27/07: Happy to be working w/Michael Lennon again who is co-producing The Devil's Playground
And introducing our new 'little friend': Tacoma 12 string papoose


2/27/07: Work in progress - I Don't Want To Say Good-bye
Michael Lennon is great to work with - a serious, no nonsense, nose to the grindstone co-producer who doesn't monkey around in the studio.

HOLLAND DECEMBER 2006


Utrecht, 12/22/06: Moluccan History Museum Theater


Utrecht, 12/22/06: w/Andree Manusama (Dobro Bro) on dobro


Utrecht, 12/22/06: w/Wim Manuhutu (Moluccan Museum) & Andree Manusama (Dobro Bro)


Nijega, 12/23/06: Fond Farewell to t'Kommissiehuys Concert.
JV was the first artist to perform at t'Kommissiehuys in Nijega when they opened in 2002, and the last to perform there at the Fond Farewell Concert 12/23/06 --- closing in 07.
Farewell Concert was 5th JV appearance at t/Kommissiehuys since 2002....


Nijega, 12/23/06: I Don't Want To Say Good-Bye to good friends Joke & Rienk Vroegop (owner/proprietors of t/Kommissiehuys in from 2002-2006).


Amsterdam, 12/24/06: Christmas Eve in Old Amsterdam upstairs window seat at Cassa di David overlooking the Christmas lights on the bridges across the Singel Canal.


Beemster, 12/27/06: Houseboat Concert outside canal view at sunset w/Maria Manusama (Special thanks to Niek & Maureen for the Indonesian feast and for having the [first ever?] houseboat concert on your boat).


Beemster, 12/27/06: Houseboat concert w/Andree Manusama.


Kinderdijk, 12/31/06: w/Maria Manusama.


Schiphol (Amsterdam Airport), 1/1/07: w/Maria Manusama and Koos and Xenia Groot pre-return flight after a very successful December 06 mission to Holland.
Extra Special, heartfelt thanks to Maria, Koos and Xenia (December 06 jv Holland team) for everything.... and thanks to everybody who came to the December 06 Holland concerts!
... & Thanks to Maria for (most of) these photos
... & Thanks to Todd for posting (all of) these photos

DECEMBER 22nd, 23rd and 27th 2006, HOLLAND:



After Solo Concert Tours Of Holland In 2002, 2003 & 2004 & A Duo Tour Of Holland withMark Lennon In 2005, John Vester Will Return To Holland For Several Solo Concerts In December 2006:

Friday December 22nd 8:15 P.M.: Moluks Historisch Museum Sedjarah Maluku
Saturday December 23rd 8:30 P.M.: ’T Kommissiehuys Fond Farewell Concert
  • Kommissiewei 1, 9712rl Nijega
  • For Reservations call: 0512-372972 Or E-mail To: info@kommissiehuys.nl
  • Tickets € 15,00
Wednesday December 27th : Private Houseboat Concert, Beemster, NL

    For Reservations E-mail To: bluewindow@live.nl

ADDITIONAL DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED

John Vester CDs/DVDs available at shows in Holland and www.johnvester.com (Via Paypal):
  1. My Heart Is In Your Hands (Jv Solo 1998)
  2. Half A World Away (Jv Solo 2002)
  3. Things I Wish I Would Have Said (Jv Solo 2004)
  4. JVML Tour Promo Cd (Duo With with Mark Lennon 2005)
  5. JVML holland tour Live Concert Dvd/Cd (Duo With Mark Lennon 2006)
John Vester Is Also An Illustrator & His Solo Cd Packages Are Hand Printed & Illustrated By The Artist (Including A Booklet With Illustrated Lyrics)

John Is Currently Recording Jv Solo Cd #4: The Devil's Playground (2007)

OCTOBER 28th 2006 VENICE BEACH CARNEVALE


     JOHN VESTER & FRIENDS

     View the program

     4:15-5:00 pm Grand Stage
     Free music/arts street festival!
     Rright here in downtown Venice, CA



Carl Byron - accordion
Troy Reigleman - guitar
Rich Mangicaro - percussion
John Vester - vocal/guitar
Michael Now - vocal/guitar
Stan Behrens - harmonica


OCTOBER 1, 2006
MARK LENNON & JOHN VESTER HOUSE CONCERT CARPINTERIA, CA.


     October 1, 2006, 4 PM
     Special House Concert On The Lawn
     At Tahoegayle's
     501 Concha Loma Dr., Carpinteria, CA.
     [Click Here] for the full size brochure

our performance was intense (in tents)


singin' in the rain

AUGUST 2006
RECORDING THE NEXT JOHN VESTER CD: THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND


Working at Chris Horvath's Jamnation Studio in Mar Vista, Ca. - 8/23/06.


New work in progress: Beeswax Is My Beeswax.

LONG OVERDUE SITE UPDATE 2006

Thanks so much to Todd W. Roat and my sister Eileen Vester for updating this site 8/22/06

JVML Holland Tour 2005 Thank Yous

to our promoter Frits Tuijn---for making our  JVML Tour 2005 possible

to Mark Lennon for doing our
great tour w/me
(& to Venice for joining us....)

to Stef & Cindy Geurtzen
(Design Line Doetinchem, NL)
for tour graphic design

to Hans Veldhuizen for
all your help....

to Maria Manusama for all these great photos
& for all your help w/tour merchandise---
& for travelling all those miles w/me---& more....

to Sidney Rutten
for so patiently posting all these photos

OCTOBER 17th-30th
   JVML AUSTIN HOUSE CONCERT
   w/road photos---

10.

9.

    10/24/05
    Maria Manusama & John Vester
    at Woodmagic cottage, Austin
    for the 2nd time

8.

    10/25/05
    jv cornered
    in Fort Worth, Texas boot store

7.

     10/27/05
     On the long drive back
     from Austin to LA---(Mark flew)---
     We stopped at the Grand Canyon---
     AWESOME!

6.

     10/30/05
     Maria Manusama & John Vester
     back in Venice, Ca.
     after driving from LA to Austin & back
     (3, 400 miles)

5.

     10/25/05
     jv w/Texas sunset

4.

     10/23/05
     John & Mark
     at Wood Magic Cottage, Austin

3.

2.

Kampeground House Concert #3

1.

     10/22/05 Kampeground House Concert
     Maria w/JVML merchandise

OCTOBER 15th

HOUSE CONCERT

at Mark Lennon's, Venice, Ca.---

2.

1.

 Mark's House: show 1st set

OCTOBER 8th

JVML Private gathering

Malibu, Ca.---

3.

   jv Malibu sunset

2.

Malibu:  Mark w/John

SEPTEMBER 6th-23rd

JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON

HOLLAND TOUR---

(10 JVML concerts---

3 JVML live radio shows

Venice concert w/jv)---

22.

Rehearsing in the room at the
      Amsterdam Renaissance Hotel

21.

     Edam 9/20/05
     soundcheck

20.

    Edam: show

19.

     Apeldoorn 9/21/05
     Grote Kerk:  Venice show w/jv

18.

Muziekcafe: performance

17.

   Grote Kerk:  Mark w/John

16.

   Bluescafe:  signing

15.

     Kommissiehuys:  signing

14.

     Amsterdam 9/18/05
     de Duif:  soundcheck
     Michael, Kipp & Pat Lennon

13.

Apeldoorn Bluescafe 9/14/05 soundcheck

12.

    Special thanks to our JVML HOLLAND TOUR crew:
    (left to right) Frits, Mark, Sylvia, Harma, jv, Xenia & Maria

11.

  Venlo 9/13/05
    de Splinter: soundcheck

10.

 de Splinter:  show

9.

     Wormer 9/16/05
     Dorpstheater: show
     w/Michael Lennon & Nick Bult

8.

     Nijega 9/17/05
     Kommissiehuys:  show

7.

 de Duif:  show

de Duif 9/18/05 sounddcheck
JVML w/Michel Lennon & Nick Bult

6.

    de Duif: show
    w/Michael, Kipp & Pat

5.

     Hilversum 9/10/05
     2 live radio shows:
     Ruud Hermans & Cappucino

4.

3.

    Amsterdam 9/10
    Live radio show Muziekcafe:  interview

2.

Hardenberg 9/11/05
     Troubadour: show

1.

     Apeldoorn 9/14/05
     Bluescafe:  show

SEPTEMBER 1st & 2nd

JVML Additional Tour preview appearances

CATALINA ISLAND---

3.

JVML (short) tour preview show
     at Flip's  9/2/05

2.

Mark w/John sitting in
     at The Blue Parrot
     kid watching Mark: Tommy

1.

John Vester w/Maria Manusama Avalon Harbor
(photo by Mark Lennon)

AUGUST 20th, 2005

JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON

TOUR PREVIEW SHOW AT McCABE'S ---

3.

Show

2.

Soundcheck

3.

AUGUST 2005

REHEARSING FOR THE FIRST EVER

JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON

2 Voices, 1 Guitar Holland Tour 2005

at home in Venice, Ca. ---


3.

2.

1.

JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON KAMPEGROUND HOUSE CONCERT

AUSTIN , TEXAS
SAT. OCT. 22nd 7:30 P.M.

Private House Concert

contact: <nancyk@austin.rr.com>

JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON Y BAR & GRILL AUSTIN, TEXAS

FRI. OCT. 21st 7:30-10:30 P.M.

Y BAR & Grill
7720 Highway 71 West
Oak Hill, Texas 78735

JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON WELCOME HOME FROM HOLLAND TOUR

BACKYARD HOUSE CONCERT
SAT. OCT. 15th 4:30-7:00 P.M.

(Concert will start promptly at 5:00 P.M.)

Poolside at Mark's (Venice, Ca.)

contact: <darylmark's assistant@yahoo.com>

JOHN VESTER  MARK LENNON Tour in Holland september 8-18th 2005

After many performances together in & around Los Angeles through the years, John Vester & Mark Lennon are taking their show on the road for the first time & will be touring in Holland september 8-18th

 THE JOHN VESTER MARK LENNON 2 VOICES, 1 GUITAR

Concert Tour will feature new, recent & older works of both American artists

 Both artists live in Venice Beach, California & both have a long history in music....

 

 John Vester

originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, started playing in bands there in the early 70s, moving to L.A. in 1978. For the next 20 years he worked in L.A. as a singer/songwriter/guitarist developing his craft---finally delivering his first cd in 1998:

My Heart Is In Your Hands, followed by

Half A World Away in 2002

& Things I Wish I Would Have Said in 2004 John has also written & co-written a number of songs on the last 5 album releases by the American band Venice

(including: Venice 2 Meter Sessies which earned a gold record award in Holland in 2003)

 Mark Lennon (www.markylennon.com)

was born & raised in Venice, California & has been lead singer for the band Venice since 1978---This multi-talented artist has co-written many of the songs on Venice albums & is also well known for his great vocal sound as a session singer---with an extensive track record of albums by other artists featuring his special voice Mark has sung with Stevie Nicks, Don Henley, David Crosby, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins, Cher & many more....

TOUR SCHEDULE

09 september

* ABC in CONCERT 

Dordrecht

10 september

* ABC in CONCERT www.abc-opleidingen.nl

Dordrecht

11 september

* De Troubadour www.de-troubadour.com

Hardenberg

13 september

* De Avenue www.avenue-venlo.nl

Venlo

14 september

* Het Bluescafé www.bluescafe.nl

Apeldoorn

16 september

* Dorpstheater  www.dorpstheaterwormer.nl 

Wormer

17 afternoon

* Kommissiehuijs  www. Kommissiehuys.nl

Nijega

17 evening

* Kommissiehuijs  www. Kommissiehuys.nl

Nijega

18 september

* Kerkgebouw De Duif  www.stadsherstelamsterdam.nl

Amsterdam

Organization and management:
Stichting HNB Events, Nieuweweg 8, 1531 AE Wormer,
tel: 075-6419490
fax: 075-6422064
email hnb-events@aanspreekpunt.nl
www.aanspreekpunt.nl

  

The concerts start at 8:30 p.m. (afternoon at 3:30). The shows can be attended after ordering an entrance ticket from the organization. The entrance fee is Euro 15 including service costs.

 A maxi-single cd featuring the 2 voices & 1 guitar ofJohn Vester & Mark Lennon has been recorded & produced exclusively for the tour. This cd is only available during the concerts & can be ordered with tickets for Euro 3 (before july 1st) or separately for Euro 5 after that date.

 It contains the songs:

  • Blue Window (NEW)  lead vocal John Vester  backing vocal Mark Lennon

  • You’re The One  lead vocal Mark Lennon  backing vocal John Vester

  • The Devil’s Playground (NEW)  lead vocal John Vester  backing vocal Mark Lennon

  • Matte Kudasai  lead vocal Mark Lennon

  • No Bone To Pick w/Jesus (NEW) lead vocal John Vester backing vocal Mark Lennon

All songs written by John Vester except Matte Kudasai (King Crimson)

JOHN VESTER  MARK LENNON 2 Voices, 1 Guitar Holland Tour 2005

PREVIEW CONCERT AT McCABE'S AUGUST 20th 2005

McCabe's Guitar Shop
3101 Pico Blvd.
Santa Monica, Ca.

sat. august 20th 7:30 p.m

McCabe's box office: (310) 828-4497

JOHN VESTER & MARK LENNON at VENICE CARNEVALE  JUNE 25th 2005

Venice Carnevale
Windward Circle
Venice, Ca.

5:00 p.m. (30 minute set)

Annual free outdoor festival
right here in the heart of downtown Venice, Ca.

JACKSON BROWNE, OZOMATLI & VENICE w/JOHN VESTER
SANTA MONICA HIGH SCHOOL GREEK THEATER
JUNE 5th 2005

John Vester joins Venice w/Jackson Browne & Ozomatli
Benefit Concert for Santa Monica High School

Sunday Afternoon 2-6:00 p.m.

Santa Monica High School
Santa Monica, Ca.

Tickets available at Tower Records/Ticketron

Bluebird Cafe Nashville Tennessee April 21st 2005

On April 21st 2005 John Vester played at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville for the first time---
to a nearly full house of very good listeners....

Thanks to Jeff Pearson for booking me at The Bluebird, Jimmy Stewart for joining us
in the round, & Special Thanks to Robin Wiley for inviting me....It was fun playing there: jv

John Vester received a Gold Record (Holland) in 2004

For his work with the band Venice on their cd:

Venice: 2 Meter Sessies (Universal) John Vester wrote one song---co-wrote 4 songs w/Venice & plays guitar on 2 tracks on the cd

Thanks very much to my good friends Michael, Mark, Kipp & Pat Lennon, the Band Venice & to their Mgr. Marcel Albers for my first gold record award which now hangs proudly on my wall & Special Thanks to Maria for delivering the gold record in person all the way from Holland to Venice--- it's heavy!

John Vester

"Featuring first ever series of John Vester concerts in Austin, Texas:

Click on the photo to enlarge.
Recording in LA (10/3/04)
Austin House Concert crowd
House Concert in Austin, Texas (10/9/04)
At Woodmagic Cottage, Austin
with Maria Manusama
John Vester with cactus in Southern Arizona en route from Austin back to Venice, Ca. (10/17/04)
Photos from the House Concert in Austin ,Texas (10/9/04)

Dutch tour finished successfully

[Friday, Juni 18 2004] John Vester successfully finshed his tour for the promotion of his new CD in Holland. Below you'll find photos of this tour. Click on the photos to enlarge.

John in The Netherlands

[Friday, May 31 2004] John Vester has arrived in The Netherlands for the promotion of his new CD.

"Very Exciting", says John, who has been to Amsterdam before, many years ago. Yesterday (Saturday) John and some friends checked out Amsterdam all day and a great part of the night. "We had a great time", says John. "Many things changed, but the atmosphere is still the same. You get a great feeling of freedom in that city..."

Tonight (Sunday) he will do his first show in The Netherlands at The Troubadour in Hardenberg.

You can find more information about the dates and details on the venues on our tourdates page. Click here to go there.

Sign up for John's mailing list 'VesterTunes'in order to receive last-minute information about tourdates and other interesting Vester news.

'Happy Holidays' from John Vester
(and a very special XMas gift for you all...)

[Wednesday, December 24 2003]

On behalf of John Vester himself we wish you all happy holidays... If you're on the VesterTunes mailinglist, you will probably have received John's personal message by e-mail.

John has big plans for the new year that's almost here. At any case there will of course be a new CD, the long awaited 'Road To Where You Are'... Early january he will go into the studio again with Michael Lennon, to record a couple of tracks that were still missing on the wish list. Also they will add additional instruments on previously recorded tracks.

If all goes well, the third 'John Vester Tour of Holland' will take place around May or June...

For now: download John's very special XMas-present for you: a free mp3 of the prolific song 'John Christ', recorded live at the Crossroads Radioshow in Bergen op Zoom, The Netherlands, on January 9, 2003! Click the link below to download the song!

Download Jim Christ

[Tuesday, December 17 2002]

John Vester will do some shows in The Netherlands again. He accompanies his friends of the band Venice on their trip to the lowlands by the sea for their traditional Christmas Holiday Shows. But with one big difference: John will stay a week longer to do four solo shows in 2003!.

Of course John will be at the Venice shows (and who knows he may even play a tune with them), but more important are his own shows: he's eager to let you hear the new material he's written the last couple of months.

Of course he hopes to see his Dutch fans at the Venice shows and at the fanmeeting in Hardenberg. Starting on January 8, he will do four shows in Enschede, Bergen op Zoom, Nijega and Arnhem. There may be one more show, possibly in Amsterdam, but seating will be limited. See the Dates Page for more information of dates and venues.

Apart from this, other good news is that John's first CD "My Heart Is In Your Hand", which was out of print for some time, will be available at the Venice shows, as well as at the solo-performances. And if you don't have "Half A World Away" yet, you can get that one also at the merchandise stands...

'Vester Unplugged in Holland' project:
sign up for "VesterTunes" to learn more!

[Sunday, June 30 2002] During his trip in The Netherlands John Vester recorded twelve songs at the Murekla Studios in Alphen aan den Rijn, or as John called this city: "Alphen in the Rain"... These recordings will be made available for download in MP3-format in the upcoming weeks.

There are some simple "terms and conditions" for everyone who wants to download these songs and - if you have them all - burn them on a CD. You can read about that in John's email newsletter "VesterTunes". If you did not yet sign up for "VesterTunes", please do so: there's no other way you will be able to join the project.

Every week we will upload two wonderfull MP3's. We will let you know where you have to go to download these files through "Vester Tunes". The songs recorded at the Murekla studios were:

1. Against The Wall
2. Grateful For The Rain
3. Genius Of The Heart
4. Last Of The Red Hot Lovers
5. Where Is My Woman
6. Happy Landings
7. Life Is So Short
8. We're Still Here
9. Little Boy Blew
10. The Right One
11. White Trash Paradise
12. When I get Over You

We will add two more songs that were recorded live and unplugged in The Netherlands:

13. Keep The Homefires Burning
14. The Family Tree

Later this week all subscribers will receive a VesterTunes edition with more information. Click the button on the homepage to sign up.

John with Axel and Arjan of the Murekla studios after the recording session.


Vester Returns to The Netherlands: four solo shows in January 2003.

John Vester joins Michael Lennon at recording studio in Bahamas

[Saturday, June 29 2002] John Vester travelled to the Bahamas yesterday with Michael Lennon's wife Danielle. He was invited to come over to join Michael and Mark Lennon who are still working with producer Terry Manning on the new Venice CD at the Compass Point Studios, near Nassau in the Bahamas.

John: " We narrowly made it through both overbooked stand-by situations with Danielle, but we're finally here with Michael & Mark in this beautiful tropic island paradise. Yoday is a day off, so the four of us spent the first part of today at the amazing white sand beach across the street from the studio, swimming in the warm, crystal clear turquoise blue water under the hot sun with gentle tropic breezes. Tonight we'll go take a look at Nassau and mixing begins tomorrow".

Dutch mini-tour finished successfully

[Wednesday, June 11 2002] After a succesfull mini-tour of the Netherlands, John flew back to the United States on Tuesday. It was hard for him to go: he loved the country, the atmosphere and the audience. The enthousiastic reactions to his performances were ecouraging: John will certainly come back to The Netherlands.

After recording the Two Meter Session, last Friday, John headed to the northern part of The Netherlands, to the village of Nijega in the province of Friesland. He performed at the Gallery 't Kommissiehuys, a beautiful old inn, that was filled with music lovers.

John before his show at the gallery in Nijega, with owner Joke Vroegop and her husband.

Saturday, June 8, John performed in 'Onder De Toren' (Below The Tower) in Terborg. He was accompanied by guitarplayer Michael Geurtzen of the band Boogie Trap. Sunday John played at 'Down Under' in Doetinchem, where he was also joined by Michael.

John in 'Twee Meter Sessies'

[Friday, June 7 2002] This afternoon John Vester will be in Hilversum (the Dutch Radio & TV-City) to tape a Two Meter Session. John was invited by Jan Douwe Kroeske, who was also responsible for the Venice Two Meter Sessions.

Jan Douwe met John for the first time when the TV team was in California for a "Venice TV Special."

Earlier this week, last Tuesday, John recorded twelve songs at the Murekla studio's. These songs will be made available for download at this site in the near future. Sign up for the John Vester email newsletter "VesterTunes" for more information about these high quality MP3's.

John Vester performing at the
BRTO studio's in Bergen op Zoom.

Yesterday (Thursday night) a radio show was recorded at the BRTO-studio's in Bergen op Zoom. This show, including an interview will also be made available through this website, after it is broadcasted. We will let you know more soon about this.

Great show at De Waag in Amsterdam

[Wednesday, June 5 2002] About 40 people attended the invitation only Vester show at De Waag in the center of Amsterdam. De Waag is one of the oldest buildings in Amsterdam. The show was in the "Theatrum Anatomicum", a beautiful round room in the top of the building. At that very same location the famous Dutch painter Rembrandt painted his "Anatomical Lesson."

John played two sets for a quiet, but enthousiastic audience. And some funny things happened during the show... You can find a couple of reviews at the review page. Click here to go there.

First Show in Hardenberg

[Monday, June 3 2002] John Vester did his first ever gig in The Netherlands at The Troubadour in Hardenberg last Sunday (June 2). About 70 people attended the show. Many of them fans of the band Venice, who knew John at least by name, because of the songs he wrote and co-wrote. But it must have been somewhat unclear for them what to expect.

John performing at The Troubadour in Hardenberg. It was a perfect start for his promotion tour of Holland.

But after the first song they knew: here was a guy who could sing and play. John did two sets and kept close attention from start to end. And everbody bought at least one copy of the "Half A World Away" CD. The last copies of John's first CD "My Heart Is In Your Hands" sold out at the spot.

Several fans wrote reviews of which we took the liberty to publish them at our our first Review & Photo Page. Click here to take a look...

You can find more information about the dates and details on the venues on our tourdates page. Click here to go there.


website info: Click here