Northampton Jazz Workshop features trumpeter Ray Vega

“I must first say that we, the trio and you, the audience, and our supporters are really blessed to have such great players coming every week to our fair city. I have to pinch myself from time to time to make sure it’s real; and then I have to practice to make sure it’s stays real. Anyway, that’s my problem but, once again, we are are thrilled to get a chance to work with trumpeter Ray Vega who brings a wealth of experience, history, knowledge and fire to the bandstand.” – Paul Arslanian, Green Street Trio

A native of the South Bronx, RAY VEGA is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Mario Bauza, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Hector LaVoe, Johnny Pacheco, Larry Harlow, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez and Louie Ramirez to name a few. Ray has performed and/or recorded with Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, The Spanish Harlem Orchestra, Poncho Sanchez, Steve Turre, Israel Lopez “Cachao”, Larry Harlow and Las Leyendas De La Fania, Pete Escovedo, The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Paul Simon, John Santos and The Machete Ensemble, Jose Jose, Sheila E., Yomo Toro, Anna Saeki, Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band, Diane Schuur, The Mike Stewart Big Band, Michel Camilo, Kirk Franklin, The Bob Belden Big Band, Dave Samuels and The Caribbean Jazz Project, Marco Antonio Muñiz, Jeanie Bryson, Eddie Palmieri, James “Jabbo” Ware and The Me, We and Them Orchestra, La Orquesta Sinfonica De Simon Bolivar, Sandro De Las Americas, The Mingus Big Band, The Duke Ellington Orchestra, The Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Bebo Valdez, and Celia Cruz, among numerous others. Ray currently works with the renowned Comtemporary Classical composer Osvaldo Golijov, performing first and solo trumpet in the critically acclaimed work; “La Pasion Segun San Marcos”. http://www.rayvegamusic.com/?section=photos

Upcoming Guest Artists:

6/12 – Ray Vega – trumpet
6/19 – Nicole Pasternak and Ralph Lalama – vocals and tenor
6/26 – Rob Scheps – saxes

The concert set starts at 7:30, followed immediately by the jam session until 10:30. $5 per person room charge for the concert set. City Sports Grille at Spare Time Northampton, 525 Pleasant St., Northampton, MA. 413-584-4830

For photos and videos of past NJW shows and related news, events and buzz, please see FB at: www.facebook.com/Northampt onJazzWorkshop ​