The Jazzcat

Donald Vega click picture above for video

Additional Pictures

From jazz pieces to classical compositions, Donald Vega

displays his wonderful talents as he graces the stage at the California Plaza

Grand Performances free summer concert series in downtown Los Angeles. Playing to a cast of adults and

children from local elementary schools alike, Donald single handedly delivered

a summertime afternoon concert that made everyone forget about work and school. 

As the sun warmed our bodies and glistened down on the

waters of the of the water court, Donald addressed the bilingually and welcomed

everyone to the performance. He also thanked Leigh Anne Hahn, who is

responsible for booking all of the talent at Cal Plaza.

I met her in Monterey

at the Monterey Jazz Festival and she travels all over the world to bring the

best talent to the Grand Performances series and does an incredible job.

 

Donald played compositions from Kenny Dorham to Benny Green

to his own compositions. He recited to the crowd some of the lyrics to “You

Must Believe in Spring” before he played the piece to give his audience a sense

of its beauty. And then, of course, he proceeded to play it wonderfully so that

we all could be on the same page.

Alfred Desio- click for video!

For his last piece, Donald composed a song called

“Tomorrows’ that was influenced by 72 year old composer and tap dancer Alfred

Desio. Alfred came out to join in a piano tap duo and was, as Flora would

say, light as a feather! Watch out Savion, the old school is still in the

house! 

Donald also performed later that same evening with the rest

of his band for the evening performances at Cal Plaza.

He will also be featured on “Jazz in the Modern Era’, a jazz television show

hosted by Chet Hanley, who also attended the performance. Don’t worry; you can

watch this show online as well. I will make sure that you have a schedule of

those shows before they happen. 

If you missed “The Jazz Cat” on “Jazz in the Modern Era”

just click on this link!

 

Donald Vega is certainly one of our stars here in LA. Make

sure to check out his website at www.donaldvega.com

Peace 

LeRoy Downs