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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
Grammy Nomination - Best Latin Jazz Album for As I Travel - 67th Grammy Awards, 2025
Guggenheim Fellowship - Composition, 2023
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
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Continue ReadingDonald Vega: As I Travel
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 ...
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Continue ReadingLetizia Gambi: Blue Monday
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Continue ReadingDonald Vega: With Respect To Monty
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 ...
Continue ReadingDonald Vega: Spiritual Nature
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 ...
Continue ReadingAll Is Merry & Bright: New Holiday Album By Donald Vega
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Donald Vega
Grammy nominated pianist and composer Donald Vega is getting into the holiday spirit early this year with his new album All is Merry and Bright;(Imagery, 2024). Recorded, Mixed & Mastered in DigitaleXtreme Definition (352.8kHz/32bit) in both stereo and immersive sound, with Multi GRAMMY-Winner Engineer &Producer Jim Anderson. The 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and Juilliard Professor shared his inspiration behind the album: Echoing the traditions of holiday albums by Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole, and taking inspiration from Vince Guaraldi’s holiday ...
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Donald Vega Earns Grammy Nomination For 'As I Travel' - Best Latin Jazz Album
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Donald Vega
Celebrated pianist and composer Donald Vega receives a GRAMMY nomination in the category of Best Latin Jazz Album for his 2023 recording of As I Travel, an autobiographical suite of compositions inspired by his journey to the United States from his native Nicaragua, and the people and experiences that shaped him along the way. “Always and everywhere melody and harmony is held together by rippling, tumbling rhythms, clearly embedded in body and soul with which Mr Vega leans into his ...
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Saxophonist Kirk Edwards Release 'SHOUT' Features Donald Vega
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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. ...
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Pianist Donald Vega Releases New Single: ¡Baila! Dance Like No One’s Watching
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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 ...
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Pianist Donald Vega Receives Guggenheim Fellowship In Composition
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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 ...
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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 ...
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Enter the "Donald Vega - Spiritual Nature" Giveaway at All About Jazz!
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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 ...
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Donald Vega Trio Live at Smalls (NYC) July 20, 2009
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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 ...
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"A recording with high-caliber vision and carefully crafted compositions…" Downbeat, 12/2023
"[As I Travel] is one of those collections that consistently engages you as it takes you on a musical journey of nine tunes, is full of interesting twists and turns. You will enjoy all of the stops that Vega makes as he travels." - Jersey Jazz, November 23, 2023, Vol. 51, Issue 10
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
The Answer
From: The AnswerBy Donald Vega
Scorpion
From: Spiritual NatureBy Donald Vega
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Donald Vega
Location: New York City
Instrument: Piano
Publicist: Two for the Show Media
