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Tommy Vig

As an award-winning jazz vibraharpist/drummer/film, television and classical concert music composer/jazz arranger/big band leader/percussionist/inventor/author, I have worked with Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Rod Stewart, John Williams, Diana Ross, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Dean Martin, Stan Kenton, Michel Legrand, Mickey Rooney, Milton Berle, Judy Garland, Lalo Schifrin, Jerry Goldsmith, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Ellis, Joe Pass, Alan Silvestri, Burt Bacharach, Gil Evans/Miles Davis big band, Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Webb, Jack Benny, Freddy Hubbard, Manhattan Transfer, Robben Ford, Art Pepper, Benny Golson, Ralph Martieri, Billy May, Bruce Broughton, Cat Anderson, Chappy, Natalie Cole, Nelson Riddle, Don Costa, Jimmy Durante, Earle Hagen, Buddy Hackett, Juan Garcia Esquivel, Florence Henderson, Fred Karlin, Ben Lanzarone, Bob Rozario, John Elizalde, Anthony Marinelli, Charles Fox, George Romanes, Gil Melle, Jack Hayes, John Addison, John Barry, John Collins, Jesse Barish, Jim Cregan, Bob Hughes, Bruce Roberts, Johnny Mann, Lajos Dudas, Lawrence Rosenthal, Lennie Niehaus, Lionel Newman, Marlena Shaw, Martin Denny, Maurice Jarre, Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Paul Jabara, Pete Rugolo, The Kim Sisters, Randy Edelman, Ray Anthony, Red Rodney, Red Skelton, Shorty Rogers, Steve and Edye Gourmet, Sid Caesar, Terry Gibbs, Tony Curtis, Van Alexander, Milcho Leviev, Aladar Pege, Billy Byers, Danny Thomas, and Vic Damone, just to name a few, and produced, directed and conducted the official Olympic Jazz Festival for the LAOOC in Los Angeles, 1984.

My list of credits as film composer, big band leader and studio percussionist is very long. Worked in all the top studios in L.A., including Warner Brothers, Fox, Universal, CBS, Columbia, ABC, Disney, Goldwyn, MGM, Paramount and so on, and participated in 1400+ studio sessions in Hollywood, including two Academy Awards, was the Vice President of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers for ten years, and have been a member of ASCAP for forty-one years. My MOMENT FOR VIBRAHARP, PIANO AND STRINGS, was recently premiered with great success by the Las Vegas Youth Symphony Orchestra, Oscar Carrescia conducting, myself playing the solo. My other symphonic works were performed by the Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestras of Cologne and Hagen, Germany, which performances were broadcast internationally on European radio. Was honored by the L. A. Jazz Society on April 7, 2001, at the Los Angeles Musicians Union, receiving the "Vibraharpists' Academy Award," Terry Gibbs, Emil Richards, Larry Bunker, plus twenty other vibe players and stars participating in that VIBE SUMMIT, hosted by producer Mal Sands and was recently featured at famous jazz radio personality Chuck Niles' big birthday bash at the Long Beach Westin Hotel, accompanied by Abraham Laboriel, Roger Kellaway and Peter Donald, and I appeared with my group at Charlie O's (L.A.) and The Bootlegger (Las Vegas) in August 2003, with great success, featuring Roger Lee on drums and Gus Mancuso, on piano. My book, "HOW TO TELL WHAT THINGS ARE REALLY WORTH," is now available on Amazon. com and bookstores everywhere. It explains my patented invention, recognized by top scientists in the world. The prototype may be viewed online at Carvalu.com

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26
Album Review

Tommy Vig 2022: Jazz Jazz

Read "Jazz Jazz" reviewed by Jack Bowers


In a musical career spanning more than seven decades, Hungarian-born vibraphonist and percussionist Tommy Vig spent many productive years as a composer, arranger, performer, leader and sideman in the U.S.A., and planted his jazz flag in many precincts, from straight-ahead to semi-classical, avant-garde to atonal, He touches almost every base on Jazz Jazz, recorded in his homeland as the Coronavirus pandemic finally waned. Some listeners may love the music, others may dislike it, while the majority may fall somewhere in ...

89
Album Review

Tommy Vig: Welcome to Hungary

Read "Welcome to Hungary" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


Although not as well-known in the US as his compatriots Attila Zoller and Gábor Szabó, percussionist Tommy Vig is every bit as talented as the two guitarists with a unique vision and unrelenting quest for perfection. Born in Budapest, Vig was a child prodigy, having recorded on drums at the tender age of eight. Political climate forced him into a self-imposed exile to the US where he made a living playing behind other jazz musicians, vocalists and ...

213
Take Five With...

Take Five With Tommy Vig

Read "Take Five With Tommy Vig" reviewed by Tommy Vig


Meet Tommy Vig: Born to a musical family in Budapest, Tommy Vig was internationally recognized as a child prodigy by the age of six, playing drums with his father, clarinetist Gyorgy Vig. His sense of improvisation, rhythm and energy at that young age made him unique, and he performed live concerts on radio, at the Budapest City Theatre, the Academy of Music in Budapest, and even the National Circus. At the age of eight, he made an album, ...

212
Album Review

Tommy Vig: Welcome to Hungary!

Read "Welcome to Hungary!" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Vibraphonist Tommy Vig has had an interesting career. Born in Budapest, he played the drums when he was six and recorded his first album two years later. Music was his passion, but the political landscape in Hungary was to cast a shadow on his days as a jazz musician. Jazz was banned in 1949, and Vig could not play it again until 1956. With the defeat of the Hungarian Revolution, Vig decided that it was time to move on. Move ...

205
Album Review

Tommy Vig: Now and Then

Read "Now and Then" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Tommy Vig is one of those jazz names which, when it pops to the surface, triggers you to say, “Hey, I’ve heard of him." Among many listeners, anyway. Among musicians, Mr. Vig is well known, his extensive discography betraying the fact. Among his credits are performances with Stan Kenton, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Red Rodney, Joe Pass, Don Ellis, Art Pepper, the Miles Davis/Gil Evans big band, and others. He is credited with contributions to the Manhattan Transfer’s The Anthology: ...

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Performance / Tour

Tommy Vig Celebrating The Release Of "Welcome To Hungary!"

Tommy Vig Celebrating The Release Of  "Welcome To Hungary!"

Source: Tommy Vig

Brand New CD by Tommy Vig: Welcome to Hungary! The Tommy Vig Orchestra 2012 Featuring David Murray Tommy Vig (2011) Klasszikus Jazz Label, Budapest Upcoming Performances Budapest, Hungary Tommy Vig 74th Birthday Concert Saturday, July 14, 2012 @ 7:00PM Jazz Cafe - Restaurant Ráday utca 19 Phone: (36 1) 299 0694 Gyula, Hungary Tommy Vig Quintet Saturday, July 21, 2012 @ 9:00PM Gyula Castle ...

174

Performance / Tour

Tommy Vig Celebrating The Release Of 'Now and Then'

Tommy Vig Celebrating The Release Of 'Now and Then'

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Tommy Vig Strikes Again!

Tommy Vig Strikes Again!

Source: All About Jazz

The Tommy Vig Quintet Featuring Mia On Vocals And Roger Lee On Drums Celebrating The Release Of Tommy Vig's Brand New CD: “Now And Then - Tommy Vig 2004" Pannon Jazz Label, Budapest Available in the USA at CDBaby.com Read the reviews on Allaboutjazz.com and CDBaby.com

LA: Sunday, June 13, 2004 7:30 P.M. Charlie O's Bar & Grill 13725 Victory ...

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Performance / Tour

The Tommy Vig Quintet, Live At Charlie O's !

The Tommy Vig Quintet, Live At Charlie O's !

Source: All About Jazz


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Performance / Tour

Tommy Vig Is Still Alive?

Tommy Vig Is Still Alive?

Source: All About Jazz

Thirty (30) vibraharp players will celebrate Tommy Vig at the Los Angeles Musicians Union Ballroom at 1-5 PM on Sunday, April 7, 2002. This VIBE SUMMIT is organized by Mal Sands. Participants include Terry Gibbs and Emil Richards. The rhythm section is headed by Dave Mackay. That evening the Tommy Vig Quartet will be the featured attraction at the jazz club Charlie O's at 13725 Victory Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA 91401 (818) 994-3058. The gog at Chatlie O's is from ...

"Colossal... jazz totally committed" - The Jazz Journal, London

"Cohesion, fire, tenderness, fine soloists and excellent charts" - The Jazz Record Digest

"Intriguing musical statements... of compelling interest" - Playboy Magazine

"Tommy Vig's talents as a composer, arranger, percussionist and vibe soloist are quite admirable"- Jazz And Pop

"Big Band with a bite... Brilliant." - Army Times

"Superlative playing" - Jazz Monthly, England

"Swings with a vengeance" - Los Angeles Times

"Tremendously exciting band" - Daily Variety

"High standard of performance" - Saturday Review of Literature

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Primary Instrument

Vibraphone

Location

Budapest

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Northridge University, Tatabánya Jazz School, Bartók Conservatory, Juilliard School of Music

Clinic/Workshop Information

Willing to teach jazz improvisation on any instrument.

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Jazz Jazz

Self Produced
2022

buy

Welcome to Hungary!

Klasszikus Jazz Records
2011

buy

Now and Then

Unknown label
2004

buy

1978

Spotlite Records
1978

buy

Rise and Shine

From: Welcome to Hungary!
By Tommy Vig

Videos

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