Chris Vega Music

Chris Vega was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. He is the son of legendary Palladium dancer, Joe Vega. His earliest exposure to live music came as a result of watching his father perform as the leader of The Cha Cha Aces, a popular dance team.while Latin music icons such as Tito Puente and Machito were leading the bands behind him. Chris became fascinated with the drums and the bongos. There were always various instruments laying around the house, such as various percussion instruments, an organ and a guitar. In 5th grade, he was presented with the opportunity to study an instrument. Being too small to handle a cello or a bass, he was given a violin, which he would play for the next few years. Seeing television appearances by The Jackson 5 would inspire him to do inpromtu performances at family gatherings, not knowing that he was preparing himself for the stage..............In the summer of 1979, Chris would hear a song that would alter the course of his life. The radios, the DJ's and the rollerskating rinks were playing "Good Times" by Chic, nonstop. The song featured a prominent bass line, provided by the late great Bernard Edwards. Of course, this song was sampled by The Sugarhill Gang for "Rapper's Delight" and influenced "Another One Bites The Dust." by Queen. Not having any real exposure to electric instruments, Chris asked a friend what instrument was making that sound. His friend replied, "That's the bass guitar, man." It was in that moment that Chris decided what he wanted to play. A few months later, a friend was selling an inexpensive beginner bass. He played that for a year until he could save enough money to afford a professional bass...........After high school, he played in a few local bands while pursuing his college degree in composition and arranging. He also taught himself how to play piano, drums and guitar along the way. In 1990, after receiving his degree, Chris got the chance to join a popular local band that was creating a huge buzz on the club circut. The band was called Bang The Drum. This band would endure several personnel changes and Chris stayed with them until 1994. When the members decided to go their seperate ways, Chris found himself with the freedom to perform and record with various local artists. He spent the next couple of years freelancing and touring......In 1996. he auditioned for vocalist Amy Douglas. After several incarnations of various bands, they decided to concentrate on writing songs and building their catalogue. Later that same year, Chris would also meet future Greenwich Village icon Rahj, when the two of them played that summer in the house band at The Cafe Wha? The band also included keyboardist Jay Sweeney, who later hire Chris to play in his band. South American recording artist Gato Garcia would also hire Chris to play on his debut CD. entitled "Atlanticos." This project gave Chris a chance to connect with his Latino roots, as well as gain exposure to South Amercian folk music..........The next year would prove to be a pivitol year for Chris as a new growing music scene sprouted up in Greenwich Village. He found himself playing at Club 101, reuniting with Rahj, as well as meeting newcomer Dana Jared, who would also hire Chris to play with him. In 1998, the owners of Club 101 opened up another club called Groove, which would feature many of the same performers from Club 101. This was another venue that allowed Chris a chance to stretch out and play with some of the best musicians in the city, and experiment with fusing different styles of music together. That summer, he played on "Let It Rain" by Soul Solution, which was a hit on the dance charts and featured the powerful vocals of Carolyn Harding. In the fall of 1998, Chris would join The Jay Sweeney Experience and stay for the next 5 years. That following year, Chris would go to Finland with Jay's band and perform at the Espoo Jazz Festival, appearing with Ray Charles and The Yellowjackets..............The last few years has found Chris performing in the Village at various clubs, as well as writing, recording and producing. In 2006, Chris performed with two of the hottest divas on the New York scene, Queen Aaminah and Lizz Fields. He is working on several writing projects with Amy Douglas, ranging from pop/R&B, to Neo Soul, as well as Dance Music and Rock. 2006 also found Chris flying out to Las Vegas, where he produced a song for up and coming vocal sensation Delisco, entitled "Free Your Soul", who's album was released in 2007. Chicago vocalist Trizonna McClendon spent the better part of 2005 and 2006 writing with Chris and working on her debut CD, entitled "Overtones and Innudendos." Chris produced 6 of the tracks. Another Chicago transplant, vocalist Chanda Rule hired Chris to play on 3 tracks on her debut CD, entitled "I Too Speak Of A River. Chris currently working with Baltimore vocalist/guitartist Artistique Soule' on her up coming CD. Stay tuned.....In the near future, Chris is looking to continue his partnership with Amy and also work with the artists that he has written and produced for, as well as meet new people and continue to grow as a musician, a writer and a producer. He believes that music is a gift, and considers himself blessed to be able to indulge in his artistic talents and share them with the rest of the world.