Donald Vega - Play It Forward (2026) [Hi-Res]

Nicaraguan-born jazz pianist and composer Donald Vega (Donald Vega), who relocated to the United States as a teenager fleeing civil conflict, has presented his studio album "Play It Forward." Recorded at Power Station New England with support from the Chamber Music America New Jazz Works commission and the Doris Duke Foundation, the project features a Latin jazz (Latin jazz) sextet comprising percussionist Carly Maldonado (Carly Maldonado), bassist Raul Reyes (Raul Reyes), drummer Pete Van Nostrand (Pete Van Nostrand), trumpeter Brandon Lee (Brandon Lee), and saxophonist David DeJesus (David DeJesus).

Conceptually, the record centers on mentorship, paying homage to the key figures who aided Vega's (Donald Vega) musical and personal growth—ranging from his mother to prominent community figures like Billy Higgins (Billy Higgins), Francisco Aguabella (Francisco Aguabella), Al McKibbon (Al McKibbon), Quincy Jones (Quincy Jones), and educator Iris Stevenson (Iris Stevenson). Tracks such as "Para Aguabella," "McKibbon’s Bugalú," "Smilin’ Billy," and "A Hymn for Iris" directly reference these influential mentors.

Musically, "Play It Forward" merges elements of bebop (bebop), Afro-Cuban jazz (Afro-Cuban jazz), and boogaloo (boogaloo) with batá rhythms, montuno patterns, jazz harmony (jazz harmony), and classical form (classical form). Eight months of live touring prior to entering the recording booth allowed the sextet to refine the compositions, balancing structured arrangements with spontaneous group interplay.

Tracklist:
1. Donald Vega - Para Aguabella
2. Donald Vega - La Flor y El Toro
3. Donald Vega - Into The Unknown
4. Donald Vega - Habla Conmigo
5. Donald Vega - McKibbon's Bugalú
6. Donald Vega - Smilin' Billy
7. Donald Vega - On Your Shoulders We Stand
8. Donald Vega - The Road to Happiness
9. Donald Vega - Play It Forward
10. Donald Vega - A Hymn for Iris