Featured Jazz Artist: Felle Vega
Vote for Felle Vega in our Top "Fuse This Jazz" Artists

About

Fellé Vega, is a well respected Dominican artist; a percussionist native of Santiago De Los Caballeros who defines himself as an "Imaginary Folklorist."

Percussionist, composer, inventor, instrument designer, who over the course of his multi-faceted 25-year career has shared the national and international stage with many notable artists, has participated in numerous jazz festivals, has led several musical groups, and has served as instructor and lecturer at percussion workshops in addition to being a composer and designer of musical instruments.

This craftsman of rhythms and varied instruments exhibits in his music a strong ethnic fusion that is the result of the African, Spanish and Taino influence ever-present in the Caribbean.

Devoted to finding "the sound of life," Fellé has distinguished himself by his experimentation with recyclable materials and everyday objects that have percussive possibilities, such as pails, lids and pots, which he then turns into musical instruments.

His use of such materials to create music has earned him on many occasions the title of "musical wizard" from Dominican music critics.

As a professional musician, he has shared the bill with world-renowned artists such as Juan Luís Guerra, Sergio Mendes, Julio Iglesias, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Paquito D’ Rivera, Rafael de España, Arturo Sandoval, Furito Ríos, Humberto Ramírez, Joel Rosenblatt, Paoli Mejías, Chichi Peralta, Guarionex Aquino, among others. Felle Vega recently shared stage with Sting at his Broken music tour concert at Altos de Chavón.

 

Felle Vega and La Orquesta de las Danzas

Mezcladas: The music of Vega, and la orquesta de las danzas mezcladas, is varied to say the least; taking in many styles and instruments so that you just do not know quite what to expect next! Or, possibly; quite where the sounds could have come from.

Amongst the accordion, guitar, and violin; are the things that give Fellé Vega his most unique trait ; the ability to make music from normal ordinary objects of day to day life, such as buckets, lids, and pots.

This ability and talent, takes you from a Jazz group, on to something that cannot be held down with a label or a description; and truly needs to be heard to be fully appreciated, drawing feelings from such influences as African, Spanish, Taino, the Oriental, and of course Dominican folklore, you feel like you are learning about the backgrounds and past of these locations purely by listening to the songs.

The band is composed of well-known Dominican musicians with vast experience in their craft: Oscar Almonte (guitar), Jose Marte (accordion), Eugenio Monte de Oca (Tuba), Ivanova Casimiro (Violin), Cukin Curiel Percussion), Eliezer Ramirez Percussion), Fellé Vega (director, vocals, percussion).

The released album called "retreta para el Alma"; was recorded live at Casa de Teatro, Santo Domingo, February 2005. This album contains 11 tracks with something entirely different and musically emotional.



 


About

Fellé Vega has participated in numerous national and international jazz festivals as the Heineken International Jazz Festival, Montreaux Jazz Festival , percussion concert tour of Guarionex Aquino and Baron Samedi Trio (Lyons, France), Cálido Invierno Festivals (Puerto Plata), Monday Night Jam Sessions (Casa de Arte, Santiago), Palafitos Jazz Festival (Moca, 2001-2006), all versions of Casa de Teatro International Jazz Festival (Santo Domingo), and the Dominican Republic International Jazz Festival in Puerto Plata.

Fellé currently heads for about 6 years the Monday’s concert series "Jazz in Santiago", and is the musical director of the world music and fusion band "Orquesta de las Danzas Mezcladas," and released the album "retreta para el Alma" distributed in EU, Canada and Puerto Rico by the record label NPG RED SONY. He is currently working in his second album "Fufú".

Felle also conducts motivational percussion workshops offered at national and international universities and schools called "Tocando la Vida," (playing the life) where he teach how to make music and sounds with dissimilar objects found around our life. Also conducts workshops based on percussion dynamics and Drum Circles for corporate groups and conventions events.

Fellé designs and manufactures percussion instruments under his own trademark, "TOKITI", using recyclable materials basically. "Tatá" "Gargarita," "Gayumbón," and "Támbiro" are the names of some of his original creations, also the percussion instrument called "Boombaquiní" (percussion box), that was designed by Fellé 17th years ago and has being played by several Dominican and international musicians around the world and is the first Dominican instrument that has being patented, thing that makes Fellé very proud.

 


Listen to the music

Tracks from "Retreta Para El Alma " are featured on  the  "Fuse This Jazz" program

Featured CD

Felle Vega And La Orquesta De Las Danzas Mezcladas
Retreta Para El Alma
2005 Fellé Vega

   
Tracks:

1 Chenche Matriculado
2 Españo-ribe
3 Parará
4 La Princesita
5 Cajeta
6 Inevitable
7 La empalizá
8 De boca en boca
9 La bella y las bestias
10 Suite folclorica
11 La mujer de los codos sucios

Personnel:
Oscar Almonte (guitar),
Jose Marte (accordion),
Eugenio Monte de Oca (Tuba),
Ivanova Casimiro (Violin),
Cukin Curiel(Percussion),
Eliezer Ramirez (Percussion),
Fellé Vega (director, vocals, percussion).

Buy the CD at Cd Baby

Website:
fellevega.com


Shows

Wednesday June 20, 08:00 PM - Dusti Corners and the Host/ WRPI Radio Station (WRPI 91.5 FM) Albany, New York
Description: Marco Haber and Felle Vega are interviewed and perform live on the air during 'Dusty Corners' -- a two-hour weekly program hosted by Richard Berkley. WRPI offers live internet streams of their programs so the show can be heard online from anywhere in the world. Here is a link for the station: http://www.wrpi.org

Friday June 22, 08:00 PM - FELLE VEGA AND MARCO HABER PERCUSSION DUO Amrose Sable Gallery- 306 Hudson Avenue Albany, New York
Description: Enjoy an evening of rootsy improvisational music (percussion / voice) with Marco and Felle Vega. The Amrose Sable Gallery is an intimate art space just off of Lark Street in Downtown Albany.

Saturday June 23, 01:00 PM - 1 hour radio spot on Skidmore College Radio Saratoga Springs, New York
Description: Marco and Felle Vega are interviewed and perform live on the air during 'Soiree' -- a long-standing jazz and rhythm-and-blues program hosted by Arthur Gonick. Here is a link for the station: http://www.skidmore.edu/~wspn