All Is Merry And Bright

Here in an easy, likable set, pianist and Juilliard faculty member Donald Vega adds fertile ideas to holiday favorites.

It's easy to hear why performers of all stripes are drawn to Christmas music: The tunes are irresistible. The challenge lies in how every known Christmas tune has been played live and recorded umpteen times. Yet hope springs eternal and every artist who dives in thinks they can bring something new to these hoary chestnuts. Here in an easy, likable set, pianist and Juilliard faculty member Donald Vega adds fertile ideas to holiday favorites. In "Joy to the World," Clovis Nicolas lays down the rhythm and Donald Vega effectively ornaments around the groove. "Hark! the Herald Angels Sing" starts out perky but settles into a steady, bluesy rhythm with Vega again dancing around the beat, adding tasty asides. A fast-paced "Deck the Halls" is an upbeat delight. And an expansive reading of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear" is where Vega stretches interpretively, with fast runs up and down the keyboard, his nimble solos landing just right.

Not everything works. A moody take on "Greensleeves" adds nothing to a tune whose possibilities were exhausted long ago. Although well-played, "Auld Lang Syne" is another number whose alternatives have all been heard before. Finally, at least one adventurous choice of Christmas repertoire would have added needed edge and interest. Recorded in DXD, the sound of these whole, uninterrupted takes is emotive, peerless. Piano is captured as forceful, ringing, and clear throughout, the bass and drums exist on a spacious plane with wide dynamics. Vega saves the best for last with his slow reading of "Silent Night," where playing lines that rock back and forth, simulating snow falling, he squeezes every drop of emotion from this beautiful Christmas standard. Another essential for the holiday music playlist.

“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, clean and focused touch on the 88-keys. During this arrangement, Clovis Nicolas is invited to showcase his bass skills during a spotlighted solo. I thoroughly enjoyed their rendition of “Deck the Halls” that danced across my listening room spreading Straight-ahead jazz and happiness, 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 to add to any holiday collection.

Pianist and composer Donald Vega applies his distinctive artistic brush strokes to classic Yuletide tunes on his 2024 release All Is Merry and Bright. Produced by multi Grammy winner engineer and producer Jim Anderson, Vega is joined by Pete Van Nostrand on drums and Clovis Nicolas on bass.  The trio coalesce classic motifs with a flare for magnetic and innovative phrasing.

Vega's poignant keyboard punctuations are scattered across tracks like "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" and "O Come, O Come Emmanuel," sprinkling the tunes with sparks of buoyancy and impromptu impressions. The bubbly facets enhance the Yuletide experience. The solace emanating from Vega's keys along "O Little Town of Bethlehem" is inviting with warm aesthetics that are universally pleasing. His rendition of "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" exudes an intensity that galvanizes the audience to every moment of the score.

Vega soaks "Greensleeves" in a basting of Latin swing moistening the rhythmic beats, then embroiders a sheath of Latin shimmers across the bopping and playful groove of "Deck the Halls." Closing the recording with succor-infused swells of "Silent Night," the trio swathe the listener in blissful tidings. Vega demonstrates an intuitive leaning when determining and measuring buoyancy, playfulness, intensity, and serenity in the arrangements. He balances traditional motifs with improvised excursions with the dexterity and acuity of a jazz savant. His Yuletide offering has the makings of a timeless treasure.

Here’s a jazz piano trio album that is well neigh perfect for listening to on quiet Christmastime evenings when admiring the decorated tree. Pianist Donald Vega, a Juilliard professor best known for working with Ron Carter and the late Russell Malone, sets his sights on drawing out the lyricism in popular hymns and carols. Vega’s great sense of quietly merry relaxation imparts swing to his delicate touch on the keys. Though usually favoring a gentle pace, he quickens things with a cha-cha version of “O Come, Emmanuel.” Appropriate low-key support is provided him by string bassist Clovis Nicholas and drummer Pete Van Nostrand.