The Ray Vega Sextet to Bring Latin Jazz to the Berrie Center at Ramapo College
(Mahwah) – Ray Vega, one of the hottest trumpet players in the U.S. today, will perform with his sextet in a Latin jazz tribute to the great masters of jazz in a concert at Ramapo College of New Jersey Saturday, May 11 at 8 p.m. in the Sharp Theater. The program will include a Latin jazz approach to works by the late Tito Puente, John Coltrane, Dizzy Gillespie, Wayne Shorter and Charlie Parker.
A native of the South Bronx, Vega is a veteran of salsa and Latin jazz bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Tito Nieves and Celia Cruz, to name a few. He has established himself as one of the innovators of the new generation of Latin jazz players with his own fiery brand of real New York Latin jazz – a true fusion of jazz repertoire and Latin rhythms. A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer and arranger, he presents Latin jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective. His two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut Ray Vega, and Boperation, were well-received by critics and audiences alike.
Vega grew up immersed in the heart of two vibrant New York City music scenes: salsa and jazz. In addition to learning about these two musical styles with some of the great legends, he received his formal training, studying trumpet with Michael Lawrence, Stan Shafran, Laurie Frank, Richard Brezowski and Jerry Gonzales. He studied jazz harmony and improvisation with Susan Winder, Bobby Rogovin and Lonnie Hillyer and Afro-Caribbean percussionist Luis Bauzo.
An in-demand musician, Vega has performed with Mongo Santamaria with whom he recorded three CDs, Mario Bauza’s Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, including their first-ever European tour, and Ray Barretto and the New World Spirit. Vega recorded two projects with this landmark group including the Grammy-nominated Taboo. It was during his time with Barretto that Vega was called upon to join the Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra, of which he is still lead trumpeter. He recorded with Puente’s orchestra many times included the Grammy-winning Mambo Birdland. He can also be heard on Conrad Herwig’s Grammy-nominated The Latin Side of Coltrane and Grammy-winning Joe Henderson’s The Joe Henderson Big Band.
Next season Palmetto Records will release Vega’s third recording as a leader Pa’lante. The recording features the members of his Latin Jazz Sextet: Bobby Porcelli, Igor Atalita, Boris Kozlov, Willie Martinez and Wilson "Chembo" Corniel.
Tickets are $18, $15 for seniors and $10 for students. For ticket information, call (201) 684-7844.
