New York City-based jazz drummer and composer leading my own groups and working as a sideman on various projects.
Check out my CDs below!
You can pick them up directly from CD Baby or download tracks from iTunes and eMusic. You can also download them through the player above, or go to each individual CD page on my website (just click on the CD cover) to listen to longer tracks of each song.
Thanks for listening to my music!
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AWAKE
features:
Terell Stafford (trumpet)
Anton Denner (alto sax, flute & piccolo)
Chris Bacas (tenor & soprano saxophones + clarinet)
Jon Cowherd (piano)
Josh Ginsburg (bass)
Recorded in late May 2005 at Bennett Studios (the studio in Englewood, NJ, run by Tony Bennett's son), this CD contains 11 original compositions by band members. The 12th track was written by the late, great, pianist, James Williams (to whom the CD is dedicated).
I produced this project and was keenly interested in each band member composing a song for the CD. Anton's tune, "Luftmenschen," is a bluesy, straight-eighths groove, while Chris' "Sputnik" is a quirky melody written on the changes of John Coltrane's "Satellite" (get it?). Josh Ginsburg wrote a beautiful ballad-like song, "Undertow," that moves through three different episodes, while Sheryl Bailey (who doesn't appear on this CD but is a good friend of mine) wrote "Fog," a hauntingly beautiful melody written in 12/8, with a Latin (bembe) feel.
Finally, my compositions include "Awake" (one of the first songs I ever wrote), "The Trend is Your Friend" (a fun and funky romp), "Stacked Sienna" (a ballad inspired by the lines and colors from Zion National Park in Utah), "Ed Blackwell" (a tribute to the late, great drummer), and three parts of the same song, "This is What Democracy Sounds Like" (inspired by the sounds I heard while marching in a political rally in New York City in 2004).
The CD was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Frank D. Fagnano , while the artwork is by renowned artist, Sharon Louden. Also included is an essay written by me and entitled, "When We Fall Asleep, Democracy Suffers," which appears in the liner notes.
The sound quality on this recording is amazing (crystal clear with each instrument highlighted and balanced) and represents the fire and vitality that only comes from working New York City jazz musicians.
Download individual tracks at:
iTunes.com
eMusic.com
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CONSILIENCE
features:
Anton Denner (alto & soprano saxophones + flute)
Gary Wang (bass)
Recorded in August 2002 at the legendary Avatar Studios (Eric Clapton, Donald Fagen, Brad Mehldau, John Mayer, Diana Krall, etc.) in New York City. This chordless trio features originals and standards and breathes an airy aesthetic with a soulful groove.
The three of us have been making music together since 2000, playing hundreds of gigs together. Although there is a definite repertoire from which we choose our songs, each gig is an adventure, as the set list develops depending on the spirit of the moment. Usually, the set progresses from song to song with no breaks, as one member will suggest the next tune and off we go!
The songs on this CD represent just a small fraction of the band's repertoire, highlighting original songs by me and Anton. Check out the various episodes that take place during my tune, "Long and Wrong," or the beautifully evocative "Tide Pools," by Anton. "Stumble Monk," is my ode to Thelonious Monk, while the transition from Irving Berlin's "The Best Thing for You Would Be Me" to Roger and Hart's "You're Nearer" is indicative of what happens in a typical set by this trio. Finally, Anton and Gary's duet in "You Must Believe in Spring," reveals each musician's mastery of his instrument.
The sound we get on this recording is extremely clear and natural and very close to how we sound in live appearences.
Download individual tracks at:
iTunes.com
eMusic.com
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LIVE@147
features:
Matthew Fries (piano)
Greg Ryan (bass)
This live recording was done over an 18 month period in 1998-99 in a now-defunct restaurant in New York City. The sound was so killing we just had to put it out! It was recorded on a portable DAT machine, and we just took the best takes over the many gigs we played there.
Highlights include our version of Stevie Wonder's "Send One Your Love" and the standard "Poinciana," made famous by Ahmad Jamal. In addition, there are two original compositions on this CD: "I Just Wanted to See What You Look Like" (my ballad in 3/4 time penned for my wife) and "Hatteras Refection," by Matthew Fries.
Download individual tracks at:
iTunes.com
eMusic.com
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Vinson Valega Radio Interview
In July 2004, Anton Denner (alto sax) and I were interviewed while on tour in San Francisco. Alisa Clancy, the morning DJ at KCSM - 91.1FM - got us up at the crack of dawn for the morning jazz hour. Thank god for coffee!!
Part I [8.6 mb MP3]
Part II [12.7 mb MP3]
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My bio and past history
What is Consilience Productions?
Check out our "dialogue BEYOND music."
Read my essay published at All*About*Jazz entitled, "Get Involved!"
What is Just Jazz?
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Last 10 songs played
on my iTunes:
The Vinson Valega Sextet
Live at Chris' Jazz Cafe, Philadelphia, PA (6/1/07)
"Luftmenschen"
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The Vinson Valega Quartet
Live at DEKK, New York City (3/11/07)
"The Trend is Your Friend"
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