Jazz Articles about Donald Vega

About Donald Vega

Album Review

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 ...

Album Review

Eric Wyatt: A Song of Hope

Read "A Song of Hope" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 25, 2021

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 ...

Album Review

Letizia Gambi: Blue Monday

Read "Blue Monday" reviewed by James Nadal

by James Nadal
March 20, 2016

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 ...

Album Review

Donald Vega: With Respect To Monty

Read "With Respect To Monty" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 10, 2015

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 ...

Album Review

Donald Vega: Spiritual Nature

Read "Spiritual Nature" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 28, 2012

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 ...

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Album Review

Shirley Crabbe: Home

by Edward Blanco
October 30, 2011

In 2006, jazz singer Shirley Crabbe suffered from a vocal cord injury, not knowing if she would ever be able to sing again. Home is her long-awaited debut, documenting a successful return appropriately acknowledged in the opening Leonard Bernstein piece “Lucky To Be Me." Her remarkable performance gives no clue to the nature of her prior condition, revealing instead a voice that caresses lyrics of ballads with emotion and projects swinging tunes with power. Inspired by the singing of the ...

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Album Review

Donald Vega: Tomorrows

Read "Tomorrows" reviewed by Elliott Simon

by Elliott Simon
January 17, 2010

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 ...