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'All is Merry and Bright' is an awesome holiday album, featuring Donald Vega's stellar piano talents / Musicalmemoir's

Posted: December 10, 2024

Echoing the traditions of holiday albums by Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole, and taking inspiration from Vince Guaraldi’s holiday classic, Donald Vega has set out to make an album that families will enjoy for years to come. The album was recorded in both stereo and immersive sound by Multi GRAMMY-Winner Engineer & Producer Jim Anderson. Here the 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and Juilliard Professor shares his inspiration behind the album: 

“The holiday season, for me, is one of the happiest times of the year. Every family has their unique traditions, whether it be holiday dinners, gathering around the Christmas tree, lighting the menorah, or moments of reflection," Vega shares. "The holidays are a time of fellowship and laughter, where we reminisce fondly on years gone by while continuing to create new memories with friends and loved ones. My hope is this album becomes part of each family’s holiday tradition as they take time to cherish and celebrate one another.”

“All is Merry and Bright" finds Donald Vega teaming up once again with GRAMMY award-winning engineer/producer Jim Anderson. They recently collaborated on Vega’s last album, “As I Travel”, (Imagery Records, 2023). The recording of “All is Merry and Bright” renders every inflection of Vega’s piano with such presence and clarity, perfectly complementing Donald's art which is defined by his melodic phrasing and signature light touch. The sessions for “Merry & Bright", recorded, mixed, and mastered in Digital eXtreme Definition (352.8kHz/32bit), are among Anderson Audio's finest engineering achievements with Ulrike Anderson overseeing the technical production. The immersive version was mixed at Skywalker Sound, Marin County, California, and mastered by 2L’s Morten Lindberg in Norway.


Musicalmemoir's writes….Donald Vega is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow and Julliard Professor.  He had a desire to create a holiday album his friends and fans could enjoy for years to come. This album is his dream come true.  Vega opens with “Once in Royal David’s City,” a classic choral hymn that he performs as a duo with bassist, Clovis Nicolas. On Track #2, the familiar “Joy To the World” is played with an opening bass line by Clovis Nicolas that modernizes the Christmas Carol into a swinging jazz arrangement. This time, Pete Van Nostrand joins them on drums.

“When I listen to someone like Duke Ellington or Ahmad Jamal, that’s how their music makes me feel, Joyful,” says Vega.

Vega admits that he was inspired by the classic holiday albums of both Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole. He wanted to create an album with groove and joy reflected in songs that were merry and bright.  “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” is arranged for ballroom dancers to glide across the floor to the slow swing beat.  “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” is arranged with a jazzy Afro-Cuban beat, enriched by the creative bass line of Nicolas. Donald Vega’s solo is powerful and full of energy.

“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, crisp and focused touch on the 88-keys. During this arrangement, Clovis Nicolas is invited to showcase his bass skills. His spotlighted solo is impressive. I thoroughly enjoyed their rendition of “Deck the Halls” that danced across my listening room spreading Straight-ahead jazz and happiness. It was 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, featuring Vega’s stellar piano talents, to add to any holiday collection.
 

DONALD VEGA – “ALL IS MERRY AND BRIGHT” –  Imagery Records - Donald Vega, piano; Clovis Nicolas, bass; Pete Van Nostrand, drums.


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