Exceeds in originality the usual average of our musical scene in general and the jazz one specifically. - Miquel Jurado (El País)
Instead of playing the instrument, he caresses it with a unique and personal dexterity. What was experienced, felt and enjoyed becomes unforgettable. - Andrés Rodríguez (La Mañana)
Progressive music against the tide. - Jordi Bianciotto (El Periódico)
A brave and precious project. - Pau Benavent (Vilaweb)
JOSEP-MANEL VEGA
Unortodox self-made guitarist, composer and improviser. Contemporary jazz musician in his own way.
He started studying musical language and harmony with his grandfather (Josep Baiget), classical guitar with several teachers (Jordi Belza, Mariano Capella, Guillem Pérez-Quer, William Waters, Danielle Kassner), contemporary music (Joan Munné, Xavier Prats) and flamenco (Manuel Castilla). However, it was by exploring on his own that he developed a personal musical language focused on improvisation, inspired by musicians such as Keith Jarret, Bill Frisell, Ralph Towner, Nguyên Lê , "high-risk" rock bands such as King Crimson or unconventional proposals such as The Bad Plus.
FREE PLAYING AT OWN RISK
Nguyên Lê says that a musician should be himself at the most when he plays. That is what I strive for, humbly assuming that I am nothing more than that, but not less either.
I devotedly submit myself to the ritual of the concert, hoping to experience a state of liberation through music that, according to Keith Jarret, not even the greatest musicians achieve for more than a few brief moments at a time.
What I play is jazz, always from an open and integrative conception of what jazz can mean. In words by Bill Frisell, a way of connecting with and transforming what surrounds us. But also progressive music, meant as open music "without rules or limits". And, moreover, contemporary: always new music, created in the present to be continuously transformed in the future.
NEW ALBUM
DUO/SOLO (2024)
"This album has been an awareness of what I have really been doing for the last few years: the construction of a vehicle through which to channel a need to give myself through music that has been latent since my early childhood."
- Josep-Manel Vega
A fantastic listening experience. Beautiful music full of beauty, austerity and honesty. Clever movements around musical centres remembering the most beautiful lines of Steve Lacy or Bob Brookmeyer, wonderful changes of melodies, intelligent execution of given material and simply a great listening experience! - Radu Malfatti
Simply excellent... a warm tone, wonderful improvisation (outstanding!) and an overall sense of depth. Solid groove and wonderful dissonant passages. A breath of fresh musical air. - Greg Bannoff
Poetic and magical music (...) full of beauty and goodness. - Bruce Soffer
Graphic expression of music and instant composition that is only possible through improvisation. Ideal to be performed live. - Víctor Nubla
Very interesting. Reminds me the kind of work by Robert Fripp and King Crimson. - David Enthoven
So nice atmosphere and sound. - Daniel Filas