Pianist Donald Vega Performs Live and Talks Grammy Nomination

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary: All Of It – Pianist Donald Vega Performs Live and Talks Grammy Nomination

Release Date: January 15, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of All Of It, hosted by Alison Stewart on WNYC, pianist and Juilliard professor Donald Vega graces the show with a live performance and an in-depth conversation about his Grammy-nominated album, As I Travel. The episode delves into Vega's rich cultural heritage, his musical journey from Nicaragua to the United States, and the personal stories that shaped his acclaimed work.

Donald Vega's Musical Journey

Donald Vega opens up about his early life in Masaya, Nicaragua, where he was immersed in a musical family. His grandfather, a composer, played a pivotal role in fostering his and his siblings' musical talents, ensuring each learned to play more than three instruments. This foundational experience instilled in Vega a deep appreciation for music as a universal language and a means of connection.

“Music was a connection with everybody that connected the family,” Vega shares at [09:06].

At the age of 14, Vega immigrated to Los Angeles, a move that marked the beginning of his transformative journey in the United States. Initially struggling with the language barrier—knowing only two English words—Vega found solace and identity in jazz. His encounter with legendary drummer Billy Higgins at the World Stage in South Central Los Angeles ignited his passion for the genre.

“I heard Art Tatum, I heard Charlie Parker, Bud Powell. And I was just like, that's what I want to do,” Vega reflects at [19:15].

Creating As I Travel: A Musical Autobiography

Vega describes As I Travel as his musical autobiography, a project that took over a decade to complete. The album is a celebration of his life’s journey, blending traditional Latin rhythms with contemporary jazz influences. Vega emphasizes the album's autobiographical nature, aiming to document his personal and professional growth.

“I just wanted to document my journey,” he explains at [07:33].

The album's creation was a labor of love, involving numerous all-nighters and meticulous refinements to ensure each piece authentically represented his story. The Guggenheim Fellowship played a crucial role in enabling Vega to finalize and record the album after a hiatus of over ten years.

“They sponsored it. I used that money to do the recording, which is a blessing,” Vega states at [23:01].

Grammy Nomination and Its Significance

As I Travel earned a nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album, a significant milestone in Vega's career. Upon hearing the news, Vega was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, highlighting the validation it provided to his artistic endeavors.

“This is so incredible to be acknowledged,” he shares at [10:54].

Vega remains humble, attributing his success to the support of his students and the broader music community. He underscores the importance of passion in music, noting that accolades like the Grammy nomination are meaningful bonuses to the intrinsic rewards of creation and performance.

Personal Reflections and Family Influence

Family plays a central role in Vega's life and music. He composed "Baila Dance Like No One's Watching" as a tribute to his young son, capturing the innocence and joy of childhood. This piece also reflects his memories of Nicaragua, where despite economic hardships, the community exuded happiness and resilience.

“I see that the people, even though there's so much poverty, the people are joyful. And so this is a celebration of that,” Vega explains at [01:38].

In discussing his daughter Isabel, Vega composed "Isabel, the Enchanting Nature of You," highlighting the unique bond between father and daughter. These personal compositions illustrate how Vega channels his familial relationships into his music, creating deeply emotional and relatable pieces.

“The vibe of this song reminds me how beautiful she is,” he remarks at [11:22].

Vega also shares heartfelt stories about his mother's sacrifice and strength, particularly during the tumultuous times in Nicaragua. Her decision to immigrate first ensured his safety and future, a gesture he deeply appreciates.

“I appreciate my mom, number one, she's a very positive force of nature,” Vega expresses at [15:30].

Educational and Teaching Endeavors

Beyond performing, Vega is dedicated to education as a Juilliard professor. He imparts his extensive knowledge of jazz and classical music to his students, emphasizing the importance of rhythm and cultural roots in musical expression. Vega contrasts his Nicaraguan upbringing, where rhythm is integral from the outset, with the U.S. approach that often prioritizes musical theory first.

“We start with the rhythm. Because I think rhythm is part of life. You find that all over the place,” he notes at [10:00].

Live Performances and Compositions

Throughout the episode, Vega delivers captivating live performances of his original compositions. His rendition of "Baila Dance Like No One's Watching" not only showcases his technical prowess but also conveys the emotional depth of his personal narratives. Additionally, his performance of "Isabel, the Enchanting Nature of You" and "Tomorrows" exemplify his ability to blend intricate melodies with heartfelt storytelling.

“Tomorrows is about moving forward, not giving up, no matter what. There will be tomorrows,” Vega shares before his performance at [19:40].

Conclusion

This episode of All Of It provides a comprehensive look into Donald Vega's life, music, and the cultural influences that shape his artistry. Through heartfelt discussions and mesmerizing performances, Vega offers listeners an intimate glimpse into his journey from Nicaragua to Grammy-nominated acclaim in the United States. His dedication to preserving his heritage while embracing new musical landscapes serves as an inspiring testament to the power of culture in shaping and defining one's identity.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “Music was a connection with everybody that connected the family,” [09:06] – Donald Vega
• “I heard Art Tatum, I heard Charlie Parker, Bud Powell. And I was just like, that's what I want to do,” [19:15] – Donald Vega
• “I just wanted to document my journey,” [07:33] – Donald Vega
• “They sponsored it. I used that money to do the recording, which is a blessing,” [23:01] – Donald Vega
• “This is so incredible to be acknowledged,” [10:54] – Donald Vega
• “I see that the people, even though there's so much poverty, the people are joyful. And so this is a celebration of that,” [01:38] – Donald Vega
• “The vibe of this song reminds me how beautiful she is,” [11:22] – Donald Vega
• “I appreciate my mom, number one, she's a very positive force of nature,” [15:30] – Donald Vega
• “We start with the rhythm. Because I think rhythm is part of life. You find that all over the place,” [10:00] – Donald Vega
• “Tomorrows is about moving forward, not giving up, no matter what. There will be tomorrows,” [19:40] – Donald Vega

This episode not only highlights Donald Vega's musical accomplishments but also paints a vivid picture of his personal resilience and the cultural tapestry that influences his work. Listeners are left with a deeper appreciation for the intersection of music, family, and cultural identity.

Transcript

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[Donald Vega]

Listener supported WNYC Studios.

[Alison Stewart]

This is all of it on wnyc. I'm Alison Stewart. In our run up to the Grammys, we've been featuring artists who are nominated. We've had Orin Evans, lakeisha Benjamin, and now our next guest pianist Donald Vega has received his first Grammy nomination as a bandleader. He's described his album As I Travel as a musical autobiography. Vega's story includes his childhood surrounded by music in Nicaragua. And as a teenager he immigrated to Los Angeles and it was in LA where he discovered jazz. He later came east and studied in New York at the Manhattan School of Music at Juilliard. That education led to an opportunity to back the legendary bassist Ron Carter. And it's a gig Vega has held onto ever since. We'll get into that a bit more in a story, but for now, As I Travel is nominated for a in the best Latin Jazz album category. And Donald Vega is here now to perform live. Welcome to wnyc.

[Donald Vega]

Hi, Alison. Thank you for having me here.

[Alison Stewart]

So we're gonna hear our first song. What are you going to play first?

[Donald Vega]

I like to do Baila dance like no one's dancing. This is a song that I wrote for my son when he was little and I catch him dancing when he was not looking. And you know, as a parent, when you see your kid happy, it's a beautiful feeling. And I, you know, I just saw him very joyful. And so the idea for this song came about also. As I look back on my home country, I see that the people, even though there's so much poverty, the people are joyful. And so this is a celebration of that. So this is called Baila.

[Alison Stewart]

Donald Vega.

[Interviewer]

That was Donald Vega performing his composition Baila Dance like no one's Watching from his album As I Travel. Do you smile when you were playing that? What were you thinking about?

[Donald Vega]

I was thinking about my son when he was little and joyful, having that joyful spirit. And also Nicaragua, I remember once I immigrated to Nicaragua. I did not, I'm sorry, Sam. Immigrated to the United States. I did not go back home until like maybe 20 years later.

[Interviewer]

Wow.

[Donald Vega]

And then when I went there, I don't. I went to my neighborhood and I saw the kids, they had no shoes, but they were happy. They played baseball on the street, but they were happy. But coming back, just thinking about like, man, I didn't have much, but I was happy. I don't remember being sad or anything like that. And here I got everything. And sometimes I said, okay, well, you know, I don't, you know, I can't find this, but I can find that. But that concept of, you know, like, how happy I was just being in a third world country.

[Interviewer]

You've described this album as a way of people knowing you. It's an autobiography in many ways. Why did it feel like the right time to tell everybody your story?

[Donald Vega]

Well, I think the right time, obviously, I think I just wanted to document. I wanted to document my journey. And also I've come so far and I wanted to share that story with a lot of people that have actually supported me along the way as well.

[Alison Stewart]

I've read that there were some late nights in making this record that you had a couple long nighters. First of all, is that usual that you have those all nighters?

[Donald Vega]

Usually I do, but this time was a lot more like I was really, I mean, part of it because I was really busy teaching and also, you know, just daily life stuff. But also this project was very important to me and I kept on changing it. I kept on reading because, you know, I'm a professionist as well, and, you know, you want it to be just right. And even the night before the recording, I was still making changes. Yeah.

[Alison Stewart]

You were born in. Is it Mayacea Masaya. Masaya, Nicaragua. And you were there till you were 14. And I understand you come from a musical family in some ways. What did you learn from your family?

[Donald Vega]

Yeah, well, I come from a musical family, like you said, and my grandfather was the composer there. And, you know, I just. What I learned is that, you know, music, you know, it was like, for example, when we had parties and holidays, they were really fun. Yeah, right. So I learned that, you know, music, it was a connection with everybody that connected the family that we all, you know, a lot of my family, they play more than three instruments.

[Alison Stewart]

What.

[Donald Vega]

So, you know, it was a little fun. And that's because my grandfather believed in the music education and he taught all his kids to learn, you know, how to play more than three instruments.

[Interviewer]

Yeah, but Donald, you started playing on the drums.

[Donald Vega]

That's correct. Yeah, I think, you know, I tell my students that something interesting that I notice is that in Nicaragua, we start with the drums, we start with percussion. But in the US really, you Start learning, like, the notes and stuff like that. But we don't do that. We do that later. We just do the rhythm. Because I think rhythm is part of life. You find that all over the place. So I noticed that. That's one of the difference. Yeah.

[Interviewer]

My guest is Donald Vega. He's a pianist, a Juilliard professor, I should say, as well. And his album As I Travel is nominated for a Grammy this year in the Best Latin Jazz album category. Where were you when you heard you were nominated for a Grammy?

[Donald Vega]

I was at home. And, yeah, it was so exciting. I mean, this. This is so incredible to be acknowledged. And I tell my students that we do this because we love it. We love music, and if we get an encouragement like that, it's a plus.

[Interviewer]

Will you play another song for us? I would love to hear one.

[Donald Vega]

Yeah, absolutely. I would like to play Isabel, the Enchanting Nature of you. This is a song that I composed for my daughter, Isabel. And I like to say that she's very creative, and she. The vibe of this song, it reminds me how beautiful she is. And our bond, you know, the relationship between son and the father is special, but the daughter and the father got some other thing that is special, and I wanted to capture that.

[Interviewer]

This is Donald Vega.

[Alison Stewart]

SA.

[Interviewer]

SA. That's Donald's Vega. The song is Isabel. It's off his album.

[Alison Stewart]

As I Travel.

[Interviewer]

It seems that family is really important to you.

[Donald Vega]

Absolutely.

[Interviewer]

You know, and I think about you being a kid and your mom came to the States first. You had to wait to be 14 before you came to the States. Thinking about that, in hindsight, what do you appreciate about your mom coming first and then you coming to the States?

[Donald Vega]

Yeah, I appreciate my mom, number one, she's a very positive force of nature. And, you know, I was born with a cleft palate, and, man, she raised me like I had nothing. Nothing was wrong, you know, and that's so beautiful. And I know mothers are like that, you know, all over the world. And I appreciate her love and. And I appreciate that she knew that I needed to get out of there at that time, because it was at the time of the Iran Contra affair, Sandinista. And she was able to say, okay, I gotta keep him safe. Which that's what all mothers do. So I really appreciate her. And. And, you know, just to let you know, Addison, I just remember back then, you know, the government was top buses. And they would say, okay, if you're 15 years old and older and older men, they all get out and they will go to the trucks, and then you will never see them again. And then when I was in my neighborhood, like around 11 or 12, I remember going to funerals and moms were crying and the moms could not. They just had boots and helmet to mourn over. So I appreciate, you know, my mom, you know, being able to see that and come to the US and send for me later.

[Alison Stewart]

When you got here, you didn't speak any English?

[Donald Vega]

That's correct.

[Alison Stewart]

What were your first impressions of the United States?

[Donald Vega]

It was overwhelming. Yeah, I bet it was overwhelming. And I felt. Yeah, I wouldn't say I felt like an alien, but, you know, just. I had to. Everything was different. The weather is. The weather was really warm in Nicaragua. And then now I had to wear a jacket. And the food, you know, that now you have all kinds of things, you know, and. Yeah, it was. It was incredible and not being able to express yourself because I did not speak the language. It was very frustrating.

[Alison Stewart]

When you studied piano in Nicaragua, you studied traditional classical.

[Donald Vega]

Yeah, I started by year, like around three. And then I have formal training. My father was the first one that taught me how to read music. And then I went to a conservatory and learned the classic.

[Alison Stewart]

And then you come to the United States. And when did jazz grab you? When did jazz say, I'm gonna be your musical style?

[Donald Vega]

Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. So I was really blessed to have met so many wonderful mentors and teachers. And I. I was living in South Central Los Angeles, and I met Billy Higgins at the World Stage in South Central, and I heard him play. And I met so many people there that got hit me up to recordings. I heard Art Tatum, I heard Charlie Parker, Bud Powell. And I was just like, that's what I want to do. In fact, someone very close to me reminded me that I only knew two words. In Spanish, I'm sorry, in English, two words. And I said, okay, what were those two words? But Powell, that's it?

[Alison Stewart]

That's all you needed to know at the moment?

[Donald Vega]

I guess that's all I needed to know.

[Alison Stewart]

My guest is Donald Vega. I want to try to get one more song in. You think you can play one more song for us?

[Donald Vega]

Absolutely.

[Alison Stewart]

What are we gonna hear?

[Donald Vega]

I'm gonna play one of my favorite compositions and oldest one, and it's about. It's called Tomorrows. I recorded it on my first album, and it's about moving forward, not giving up, no matter what. There will be tomorrows.

[Alison Stewart]

I love it. This is Donald Vega.

[Interviewer]

That is Donald Vega, the pianist, Juilliard professor. His new album, As I travel is nominated for a Grammy Award this year. I understand you were. You got the Guggenheim fellow. How did it help to help you finish the album?

[Alison Stewart]

How did it help you?

[Donald Vega]

Oh, yeah, absolutely. They sponsor it. Yeah, I used that money to do the recording, which is a blessing because I think it took 10 years that, I mean, I haven't, I didn't record for 10 or 11 years. And then when I got the Guggenheim, I was able to do that.

[Interviewer]

And you're still with the Ron Carter Band?

[Donald Vega]

That's correct.

[Alison Stewart]

That's awesome.

[Interviewer]

The name of the album is As I Travel. It is nominated for a Grammy this year for Best Latin Jazz Album. Thank you so much for being with us. We really appreciate you being here. I really, I really do.

[Donald Vega]

Thank you, Alison, for having me.

[Alison Stewart]

There is more, all of it on the way. Gary Gullman is known for turning his experience with mental illness into comedy, like in his HBO special the Great Depress and his memoir Misfit. Now he's making his Off Broadway debut with Grand Eloquent. He'll join me in just a moment to discuss. There is more, all of it on the way, right after the news.

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WNYC Studios is supported by Carnegie hall, which presents pianist Bruce Liu in recital performing works by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Scriabin and Prokofiev's Piano Sonata no. 7 January 24. Tickets and [e-mail].