Al Vega, a longtime Boston musician who
played with some of the finest jazz talents through a career that
spanned 70 years, has died. He was 90.
Vega died Friday at Massachusetts General Hospital, hospital spokeswoman Kory Dodd said. No cause of death was given.
Vega,
born Aram Vagramian in Worcester, Mass., was the house pianist at the
Hi-Hat jazz club, and spent the late 1930s, 40s and 50s playing with
some of the jazz greats, Boston radio personality Ron Della Chiesa told
The Associated Press.
Della
Chiesa said Vega teamed up with many jazz greats including Charlie
Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Count Basie and Duke Ellington and
played many of the city's legendary jazz clubs. He later led his own
trio and became a fixture at Lucky's Lounge, where he played Frank
Sinatra tunes on Sunday nights.
"He was one of the most beloved musicians in the history of the city," Della Chiesa told the AP.
Vega played both the piano and the vibraphone, and had hundreds of recordings as a pianist and a backup artist.
Della
Chiesa describes Vega as a legendary musician and teacher who launched a
number of careers. He called him a friend to generations of
Massachusetts politicians, including senators, congressmen, governors
and mayors, regardless of their party affiliation.
Vega,
a World War II veteran, was also a longtime Little League and Babe Ruth
baseball coach in Everett, Mass., where a square was dedicated in his
honor in October.
Vega was
due to appear at Sculler's Jazz Club in mid-January, and Della Chiesa
said the event will go on, as a memorial to his friend.
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