Ray Vega & His 6-Piece Band

New York born and bred musician Ray Vega is a University of Vermont faculty member, host of Vermont Public Radio’s Friday Night Jazz and TRR, as well as Origin recording artist. His Vermont-based ensemble presents original compositions by Vega, which combine elements of Jazz, Latin, and Funk. A much-in-demand musician, he has performed with Mongo Santamaria, with whom he recorded numerous CDs, Mario Bauza’s Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra, including their first-ever European tour, and Ray Barretto & the New World Spirit. It was during his time with Barretto that Vega was called upon to join the Tito Puente Latin Jazz Orchestra as lead trumpeter. Vega recorded with Puente’s Orchestra many times over, including the Grammy-winning “Mambo Birdland,” “Dancemania ’99,” and “Obra Maestra.”