Bass legend Ron Carter called Donald Vega "the next piano voice" as part of Carter's Golden Striker Trio. For Vega, arriving from Nicaragua in 1989, music was his language before English. He has studied with John Clayton and Kenny Barron, made outstanding trio records with Christian McBride and Lewis Nash, celebrated Monty Alexander, and has been honored with a Guggenheim Fellowship for his contributions.
With Play It Forward, Vega features his Latin Jazz Sextet, with percussionist Carly Maldonado, bassist Raul Reyes, drummer Pete Van Nostrand, trumpeter Brandon Lee, and saxophonist David DeJesus. It's a program of infectious originals, honoring those who helped shape his personal and professional life, including tributes to Afro-Cuban percussionist Francisco Aquabella, bass legend Al McKibbon, and drum master Billy Higgins, all who guided Donald along the way.
Hear a track from Play It Forward each weekday morning @ 8:20AM, another feature made possible by the members of WBGO!
Mon-"Para Aquabella"
Tues-"McKibbon's Bugalu"
Wed-"Smilin' Billy"
Thurs-"On Your Shoulders We Stand"
Fri-"Play It Forward"
