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Donald Vega

Donald Vega was trained classically in piano in his native Nicaragua. He emigrated to the United States at age 14 and found a musical home with the Colburn School of Performing Arts (CSPA). He began his studies there in classical piano with Teresa de Jong Pombo and Dr. Louis Lepley. Vega began learning the language of jazz from mentor Billy Higgins at The World Stage and continued at CSPA with Jeffrey Lavner, then later with bassist John Clayton at the University of Southern California. He went on to graduate from Manhattan School of Music and The Juilliard School where he studied with piano great Kenny Barron. Vega currently performs internationally as the pianist for world renowned bassist Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio with whom he has recorded several albums. Mr. Vega is also a professor at The Juilliard School and Hofstra University and sits on the board of BackCountry Jazz, a non-profit organization which provides music education programs and performances to underprivileged youth. 

Vega’s debut album, Tomorrows, was released in 2008 to rave reviews. In his sophomore album, Spiritual Nature (Resonance Records, 2012), he was joined by the regal rhythm tandem of bassist Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash. Vega teamed up again with Lewis Nash on his third album, With Respect to Monty, (Resonance Records, 2015) along with Hassan Shakur, the great bassist and former Monty Alexander band member, and long time friend and grammy nominated artist, Anthony Wilson on guitar.  Donald recently finished recording his latest album, As I Travel, with Lewis Nash on drums and John Patitucci on bass and featuring Luisito Quintero on percussion. 

 


 

Awards

Original composition, “Wailing Jane”, selected for Jazz Times 2008 Education Issue 1st Place, Jazz Piano Competition Pensacola Jazz Festival, 2008 Runner Up, Great American Jazz Piano Competition, Jacksonville, FL 2007


Tags

3
Radio & Podcasts

Round About Midnight

Read "Round About Midnight" reviewed by Michael Ambrosino


Episode 82 features Donald Vega, Allison Miller, Joey Alexander, Miho Hazama, Butcher Brown, Vanessa Perica, Ron Blake, George Burton, Omar Sosa, Maddie Vogler, Christian Sands, Hugues Mayot & L'Arbre Rouge and Willie Morris. ...

5
Album Review

Donald Vega: As I Travel

Read "As I Travel" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Pianist Donald Vega's latest album As I Travel is a captivating musical memoir in which, through an intricate blend of melodies and harmonies, he weaves a heartfelt narrative which pays homage to the familial and communal influences that have shaped his artistic journey. Accompanying him on this excursion are drummer Lewis Nash, bassist John Patitucci and percussionist Luisito Quintero, each of whom brings impressive credentials with him. All nine compositions on this release were composed and ...

24
Album Review

Eric Wyatt: A Song of Hope

Read "A Song of Hope" reviewed by Jack Bowers


On A Song of Hope, his second album for Whaling City Sound, saxophonist Eric Wyatt offers more than hope; he offers assurance that contemporary jazz is alive and well in and around his home base of Brooklyn, NY. Wyatt, the godson of another rather well-known saxophonist, Sonny Rollins, performs in groups of various sizes, from quartet to octet, with vocals by Samara Joy on two numbers, “Fragile" and Wyatt's “Say Her Name." The almost-constants are pianist Donald Vega, bassist Eric ...

8
Album Review

Letizia Gambi: Blue Monday

Read "Blue Monday" reviewed by James Nadal


As the world continues to shrink--musically speaking of course--the melding of American jazz with Mediterranean melody is another spin cycle that makes appreciation of this evolving art form so interesting. With high expectations, Neapolitan vocalist Letizia Gambi, which hails from a theatrical family, and has extensive jazz education, releases Blue Monday, an exuberant and ambitious production that takes jazz on a romantic Italian holiday. After a collaboration with drummer extraordinaire Lenny White in 2009 led to “Introducing Letizia ...

4
Album Review

Donald Vega: With Respect To Monty

Read "With Respect To Monty" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


When pianist Donald Vega put together Spiritual Nature (Resonance Records, 2012), he presented an arresting mix of music that shined a light on some of his influences. There was a touch of Scriabin in the mix, pointing to classical music; a nod to pianist Oscar Peterson by way of bassist Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen's “Future Child"; a showing of respect toward mentor/employer Ron Carter via the bassist's “First Trip"; and, perhaps most tellingly of all, the inclusion of two numbers from ...

4
Album Review

Donald Vega: Spiritual Nature

Read "Spiritual Nature" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Some musicians willingly praise anybody who simply picks up an instrument, but bassist Ron Carter isn't known to be one of them. The legendary bass master has incredibly high standards and a reputation for telling it like it is, so an endorsement from Carter really means something. The fact that he hails Donald Vega as “the next piano voice" in jazz, and selected him to be Mulgrew Miller's successor in his trio, should serve as evidence of Vega's abilities, but ...

193
Album Review

Donald Vega: Tomorrows

Read "Tomorrows" reviewed by Elliott Simon


Combined with a forward-looking mindset and an emotional depth not often found on initial offerings, Tomorrows has all the things that a debut should: breadth of style, fresh approach and intimacy that lets one get to know the artist. Pianist Donald Vega, who fled from Nicaragua, has faced much adversity in his young life and impresses with a positive lyrical style. He has wisely chosen to round out his trio with drummer Lewis Nash and bassist David J. Grossman. The ...

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5

Recording

Saxophonist Kirk Edwards Release 'SHOUT' Features Donald Vega

Saxophonist Kirk Edwards Release 'SHOUT' Features Donald Vega

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

For the past eight years Kirk Edwards has studied jazz improvisation with the celebrated pianist Donald Vega. As an organic outgrowth of this association Kirk often shared original compositions with Donald. Mr. Vega would offer suggestions to enhance these songs and Kirk would implement those elements into the pieces. As the original compositions became more refined Donald suggested that Kirk record them, adding that he would also play on the recording with him. So, that was the genesis of Mr. ...

2

Music Industry

Pianist Donald Vega Releases New Single: ¡Baila! Dance Like No One’s Watching

Pianist Donald Vega Releases New Single: ¡Baila! Dance Like No One’s Watching

Source: Donald Vega

The new single, “¡Baila! Dance Like No One’s Watching," was released on Friday, September 29, 2023 to all digital streaming music platforms. This new single is from Vega’s upcoming album As I Travel which will be released on October 27, 2023. The album consists of 9 tunes, all composed and arranged by Vega. The album depicts poignant moments in the personal journey of Donald Vega beginning from his hometown in Masaya, Nicaragua through his worldwide travels performing as an established ...

6

Award / Grant

Pianist Donald Vega Receives Guggenheim Fellowship In Composition

Pianist Donald Vega Receives Guggenheim Fellowship In Composition

Source: Donald Vega

On April 5, 2023, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation announced the winners of this year’s Guggenheim Fellowship. Donald Vega was named a fellow in the Creative Arts category for composition. “...an exceptionally articulate pianist... Vega's single most distinctive characteristic is his romantic lyricism." —JazzTimes The award provides Vega with support to complete his newest recording project, As I Travel. The project depicts poignant moments in the personal journey of Donald Vega beginning from his hometown in Masaya, Nicaragua through ...

7

Recording

Donald Vega "With Respect To Monty" out July 10 on Resonance Records

Donald Vega "With Respect To Monty" out July 10 on Resonance Records

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations

A tribute to the great living master, jazz pianist Monty Alexander In celebration of the Jamaican jazz icon, Monty Alexander, pianist Donald Vega puts together a hard-swinging compilation of Monty's great, early compositions. With Respect To Monty features an all-star lineup of Anthony Wilson (guitar), Hassan Shakur (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums). Since his debut on Resonance Records, Spiritual Nature (2012), Vega is entirely his own man, completely in command of his material. As the late, great Mulgrew Miller's replacement ...

Contest

Enter the "Donald Vega - Spiritual Nature" Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Enter the "Donald Vega - Spiritual Nature"  Giveaway at All About Jazz!

Source: All About Jazz

All About Jazz members are invited to enter the Resonance Records “Donald Vega - Spiritual Nature“ giveaway contest starting today. We'll select FIVE winners at the conclusion of the contest on November 12th. Click here to enter the contest

(Becoming a fan of Donald Vega at AAJ automatically enters you in the contest.)

Good luck! Your Friends at Resonance Records About Donald Vega and Spiritual Nature Classically-trained in his native Nicaragua, Vega emigrated to Los Angeles ...

89

Performance / Tour

Donald Vega Trio Live at Smalls (NYC) July 20, 2009

Donald Vega Trio Live at Smalls (NYC) July 20, 2009

Source: Two for the Show Media

Pianist/Composer Donald Vega will be performing with his Trio at Smalls in New York City on Monday, July 20thth, 2009 - Set times are 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM Donald Vega - Piano Yasushi Nakamura - Bass Peter Van Nostrand - Drums SMALLS 183 West 10th Street New York City July 20th, 2009– Show times: 7:30 PM & 9:00 PM Admission $20 About Donald Vega Donald Vega's style and virtuosity ...

"...an exceptionally articulate pianist...Vega's single most distinctive characteristic is his romantic lyricism." - JazzTimes, May 2009 "Donald Vega plays with a formidable technique, a rich imagination, and a lot of heart.  For my money, a major talent of his generation." - Bennie Wallace, saxophonist, March 2009 “Tomorrows is a must hear disc for those who love the sound of the piano dancing to new melodies and enriching the music from standards we've come to know and love. Vega offers six new original scores displaying his talents on the keys playing with power, intensity and a touch of class...the group finishes with the light ballad of Butterfly Waltz, a piece the pianist writes for his wife, (it) is perhaps the crowning piece of an impressive and compelling session of contemporary light jazz making

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Primary Instrument

Piano

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Contact for more information.

Clinic/Workshop Information

Contact for more information.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Baila! Dance Like No...

Imagery Records
2023

buy

As I Travel

Imagery Records
2023

buy

SHOUT!

Self Produced
2023

buy

A Song of Hope

Whaling City Sound
2021

buy

Remembering Bob...

Shanti Records
2021

buy

You Can See: The Best...

Resonance Records
2020

buy

Scorpion

From: Spiritual Nature
By Donald Vega

Videos

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