PRESS

BIO

Barcelona, 1965.

Josep-Manel Vega's grandfather (Josep Baiget) was his first teacher. He studied musical language and harmony with him and then classical guitar with several teachers (Jordi Belza, Mariano Capella, Guillem Pérez-Quer, William Waters, Danielle Kassner), modern music (Joan Munné, Xavier Prats) and flamenco (Manuel Castilla). However, it was exploring by himself how he eventually developed his personal musical language with a special interest focused on improvisation.

He published a first album entitled Space, silence and wind (Liquid Records, Barcelona) in 1999 and, since then, up to ten more recordings leading groups or acting as a soloist.

IMPROVISING AROUND THE WORLD

In 2018, after more than 30 years combining music and teaching, the Spanish guitarist starts a process of personal transformation that leads to the radical consecration to the project IMPROVISING THE WORLD. He left behind all the things that supposedly provide us with comfort and security (job, stability, routine) and focused all his efforts on travelling, playing and growing as a human being. Now he moves aimlessly from one country to another, playing in different places in search of different sources of energy, feelings and inspiration. A nomadic attitude without a predetermined destination.

NEW RECORD

His latest solo album IMPROVISING AROUND THE WORLD completes the previous 7 IMPROS with a collection of improvisations performed in Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, Portugal, Belgium, Holland, Hungary and England. Altogether, more than two hours of calm, peace and harmony. An evocation of the different spaces that have inspired each note.

IN CONCERT

Josep-Manel Vega's concerts are improvisations built from the same musical elements that were used in each place. These elements function as words that weave a discourse in real time. Each new improvisation evokes previous improvisations and transports us to the many spaces that have been trodden on.

REVIEWS

"It exceeds in originality the usual average of our music scene. Essentially improvised music that seeks to break limits and barriers." - El País

"Progressive music against the tide." - El Periódico de Catalunya

"Healing music made to fill yourself up with." - Arts To Rise

"A fantastic listening experience. Beautiful music imbued with such beauty, austerity and honesty. Very intelligent lines, wonderful moving around musical centers and a great feeling for developments reminding the most beautiful lines of Steve Lacy or Bob Brookmeyer. Wonderful turnings of melodies, clever execution of given material and just a great listening experience!" - Radu Malfatti

"Freedom and discipline, a graphic expression of music and instantaneous composition that is only possible through improvisation, collective creation and, therefore, ideal to be produced live." - Víctor Nubla

"It is very interesting and put me in mind of the area of work Robert Fripp and King Crimson were doing and still do." - David Enthoven

"Very nice atmosphere and sound." - Daniel Filas

"His classical guitar interpretation of "Vessel" by Ralph Towner is simply excellent... warm tone, wonderful (outside!) improvisation, and overall spacious feel and depth. This worthy treatment by Josep-Manel of a fine tune from the mind of the mighty Ralph Towner, with solid groove and wonderfully dissonant passages, is a musical breath of fresh air." - Greg Bannoff

"Suggestive instrumental pieces and exciting improvised passages." - Alan Wing

"Your music is poetic & magical (...) filled with wonder & goodness." - Bruce Soffer

PROJECTS AND BANDS

CANVI DE SEGLE (1997-2001)

Enric Masriera - clarinet & saxophone
Josep Mª Fradera - flute
Daniel Ortín - drums & percussion
Carlos Belafonte - bass
Ivo Sans - drums, tabla & percussion
Ángel Gómez - bass
Josep-Manel Vega - classical & electric guitars

FANG I MANS (2002-2005)

Teresa Vasco - clarinet
Andreu Brunat - flutes
Josep-Manel Vega - acoustic guitar

IMPROVISANT PEL MÓN (2006-2009)

Josep-Manel Vega - classical guitar

TTT (2010-2012)

Mariano Steimberg - drums
Jordi Sánchez - bass
Josep-Manel Vega - electric guitar

SOLO-DUO-TRIO-QUARTET (2014-2015)

Almudena Jambrina - oboe & english horn
Ernest Martínez - percussion
Jordi Sànchez - double bass
Josep-Manel Vega - self-built guitar

SIMPLE (2016)

Josep-Manel Vega - self-built guitar
Ramon Rodríguez - tabla

BWV995 (2016)

Ivo Sans - drums
Àlex Reviriego - double bass
Josep-Manel Vega - self-built guitar