Al Vega Coda
June 7, 2011 - Photography by WGBH volunteer Hank Hauptmann.
Dear Vega fans,
As many of you may already know, Al passed away last night (Friday, December 2, 2011) at Mass General Hospital.
http://www.nobomagazine.com/2011/12/03/al-vega-dies-at-90/He was admitted on 11/17, the same day he was scheduled to perform an alumni concert at Northeastern University, co-hosted by Ron Della Chiesa and Professor Leonard Brown. Brown recently self-published a book about Al’s incredible life and musical career, “Boston’s Jazz Legend: The Al Vega Story.”
Contact Professor Leonard Brown Regarding Al VegaDespite a few medical issues in recent years, Al displayed remarkable resilience. We hoped that he would make another of his signature comebacks, so last night’s news was a terrible blow.
As was his desire, Al was gigging steadily just days before this last hospitalization. He had the honor of having a square near his longtime Everett home dedicated to him in October Everett Dedication, performed at WGBH studios and celebrated his 90th birthday with a concert at Scullers in June, something that had become a much-anticipated sold-out event over the past 5 years. There is no doubt; Al went out on a high note.
Studios' Eric in the Evening Show
June 7, 2011 - Photography by WGBH volunteer Hank Hauptmann.
Al Vega Trio
June 7, 2011 - Photography by WGBH volunteer Hank Hauptmann.
Al Vega at WGBH Studios playing for the Eric in the Evening Show
June 7, 2011 - Photography by WGBH volunteer Hank Hauptmann.
You can find a number of eloquent tributes to Al online and in Professor Brown’s book, so I will not attempt to add to that here. He impacted so many lives; we all have wonderful stories and memories. We loved him dearly and already miss him tremendously. When Al’s popularity soared several years ago, the trio was playing steadily five or six nights a week. We know that Al treasured every moment playing for you.
Al’s family is holding a private funeral service, but public viewing hours are Wednesday 12/7 from 4-9PM at Salvatore Rocco & Sons Funeral Home, 331 Main St., Everett, 617-387-4180.
A Musical Memorial Celebration will be held on Thursday 12/8 from 4-9PM at Anthony’s Restaurant, 105 Canal St., Malden, 781-321-8900.
There will also be a tribute concert to Al, featuring the Al Vega All-Star Band and special guest singers on Tuesday 1/17, 8PM, at Scullers, in conjunction with the release of Ron Della Chiesa’s book “Radio My Way,” at which Al was scheduled to perform.
For tickets: www.scullersjazz.com
With warm regards,
Lisa and Rick
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NEW CD ~ "88 Over 88"
only available at Lucky's on Sunday nights
( great for gifts ){ cover art by joanne fantini }
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* Sinatra Sundays at Lucky's Lounge
Featured Singer :) Adam Herbert
on Congress Street, Boston ~ 8:30 pm - 12:30 am
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"Al Vega: Person of the Year"
The Everett Advocate names Al Vega - Person of the Year
Read this story from the local newspaper...
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AL VEGA TRIO
The history of the New England jazz scene is neatly summarized in the person of AL VEGA. Al has been gigging in the Boston area since 1938 and he's still one of the area's foremost jazz artists. The Boston Media refers to Al as "Boston's Living Legend of Jazz". He's worked opposite virtually every name in American jazz - to mention a few: Dizzy Gillespie, Betty Carter, Lester Young, Stan Getz, Billy Holiday! He's shared with them Boston's legendary jazz rooms: The HiHat, Storyville, The Ken Club, The Jazz Workshop. Enjoy :)
The Al Vega Trio appears regularly at Lucky's, the Beehive, and many other clubs in the Boston area. Check the Schedule...
DAVE ZOX, bass
Currently, Dave Zox plays with some wonderful musicians in the New England area such as the legitimately legendary pianist and composer Joanne Brackeen (in her class at Berklee College of Music) Harvey Diamond, Garrison Fewell,s Scott Goulding, Janine Graham, John Harrison, Charlie Jennison, Tony Lada, Joel Press, Gene Roma, Ray Santisi, Ben Schwendener, Johnny Souza, and the ‘unstoppable force-of-nature’ himself
Al Vega (eighty-six years young!!).
Dave has taught since 1989, first at Longy School of Music, subsequently at Walnut Hill School, currently at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts and privately in his own studio. This work includes private lessons on double bass and electric bass guitar, jazz improvisation and theory, and orchestral technique. He has organized and coached jazz ensembles, and taught a jazz theory class at Longy. To Dave’s credit he has developed a class, ’Practice, Practice-Techniques for Maximizing Musical Development’ which ran successfully at Longy.
RICK KLANE, drums
Rick Klane began his professional music career in Florida as a rock, jazz and show drummer, playing in clubs, on cruise ships and on the road with such notable bands as The Angels. Returning to his hometown of Boston, MA to attend Berklee College of Music, Rick also studied with legendary drummers Alan Dawson, Bob Gulloti and Gary Chaffee.
Since then, he has accumulated a diverse list of musical credits. He performed in the musical review "The All Night Strut" and behind such entertainers as Red Buttons, Frank Gorshin and Jerry Vale, as well as with The Boston Pops. He has recorded 10 CDs as a member of various jazz, fusion, folk, ethnic and rock music bands. He regularly plays with several jazz orchestras in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, sharing the stage with such artists as Arturo Sandaval, Ed Calle, Jon Faddis, Marvin Stamm, Slide Hampton, George Garzone, Bob Mintzer and Bill Watrous.
