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“O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a lovely ballad, played tenderly as a solo piano piece, followed by a joyful, jazzy rendition of “Greensleeves.”  Vega has a wonderful, clean and focused touch on the 88-keys. During this arrangement, Clovis Nicolas is invited to showcase his bass skills during a spotlighted solo. I thoroughly enjoyed their rendition of “Deck the Halls” that danced across my listening room spreading Straight-ahead jazz and happiness, propelled by Pete Van Nostrand’s tasty drums.  The final tune is “Silent Night” with re-harmonization during Donald Vega’s beautiful interpretation of this Christian hymn. Here is an awesome album to add to any holiday collection.

Dee Dee McNeil - Source

Jazz2Love

Pianist and composer Donald Vega applies his distinctive artistic brush strokes to classic Yuletide tunes on his 2024 release All Is Merry and Bright. Produced by multi Grammy winner engineer and producer Jim Anderson, Vega is joined by Pete Van Nostrand on drums and Clovis Nicolas on bass.  The trio coalesce classic motifs with a flare for magnetic and innovative phrasing.

Vega’s poignant keyboard punctuations are scattered across tracks like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” sprinkling the tunes with sparks of buoyancy and impromptu impressions. The bubbly facets enhance the Yuletide experience. The solace emanating from Vega’s keys along “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is inviting with warm aesthetics that are universally pleasing. His rendition of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” exudes an intensity that galvanizes the audience to every moment of the score.

Vega soaks “Greensleeves” in a basting of Latin swing moistening the rhythmic beats, then embroiders a sheath of Latin shimmers across the bopping and playful groove of “Deck the Halls.” Closing the recording with succor-infused swells of “Silent Night,” the trio swathe the listener in blissful tidings. Vega demonstrates an intuitive leaning when determining and measuring buoyancy, playfulness, intensity, and serenity in the arrangements. He balances traditional motifs with improvised excursions with the dexterity and acuity of a jazz savant. His Yuletide offering has the makings of a timeless treasure.

Susan Francis - Source

DownBeat

Here’s a jazz piano trio album that is well neigh perfect for listening to on quiet Christmastime evenings when admiring the decorated tree. Pianist Donald Vega, a Juilliard professor best known for working with Ron Carter and the late Russell Malone, sets his sights on drawing out the lyricism in popular hymns and carols. Vega’s great sense of quietly merry relaxation imparts swing to his delicate touch on the keys. Though usually favoring a gentle pace, he quickens things with a cha-cha version of “O Come, Emmanuel.” Appropriate low-key support is provided him by string bassist Clovis Nicholas and drummer Pete Van Nostrand.

Frank-John Hadley - Source