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Tommy Vig
As an award-winning jazz vibraharpist/drummer/film, television and classical concert music composer/jazz arranger/big band leader/percussionist/inventor/author, I have worked with Henry Mancini, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Quincy Jones, Rod Stewart, John Williams, Diana Ross, Woody Allen, Mel Brooks, Dean Martin, Stan Kenton, Michel Legrand, Mickey Rooney, Milton Berle, Judy Garland, Lalo Schifrin, Jerry Goldsmith, Sammy Davis Jr., Don Ellis, Joe Pass, Alan Silvestri, Burt Bacharach, Gil Evans/Miles Davis big band, Johnny Mathis, Jimmy Webb, Jack Benny, Freddy Hubbard, Manhattan Transfer, Robben Ford, Art Pepper, Benny Golson, Ralph Martieri, Billy May, Bruce Broughton, Cat Anderson, Chappy, Natalie Cole, Nelson Riddle, Don Costa, Jimmy Durante, Earle Hagen, Buddy Hackett, Juan Garcia Esquivel, Florence Henderson, Fred Karlin, Ben Lanzarone, Bob Rozario, John Elizalde, Anthony Marinelli, Charles Fox, George Romanes, Gil Melle, Jack Hayes, John Addison, John Barry, John Collins, Jesse Barish, Jim Cregan, Bob Hughes, Bruce Roberts, Johnny Mann, Lajos Dudas, Lawrence Rosenthal, Lennie Niehaus, Lionel Newman, Marlena Shaw, Martin Denny, Maurice Jarre, Johnny Carson, Merv Griffin, Paul Jabara, Pete Rugolo, The Kim Sisters, Randy Edelman, Ray Anthony, Red Rodney, Red Skelton, Shorty Rogers, Steve and Edye Gourmet, Sid Caesar, Terry Gibbs, Tony Curtis, Van Alexander, Milcho Leviev, Aladar Pege, Billy Byers, Danny Thomas, and Vic Damone, just to name a few, and produced, directed and conducted the official Olympic Jazz Festival for the LAOOC in Los Angeles, 1984.
My list of credits as film composer, big band leader and studio percussionist is very long. Worked in all the top studios in L.A., including Warner Brothers, Fox, Universal, CBS, Columbia, ABC, Disney, Goldwyn, MGM, Paramount and so on, and participated in 1400+ studio sessions in Hollywood, including two Academy Awards, was the Vice President of the American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers for ten years, and have been a member of ASCAP for forty-one years. My MOMENT FOR VIBRAHARP, PIANO AND STRINGS, was recently premiered with great success by the Las Vegas Youth Symphony Orchestra, Oscar Carrescia conducting, myself playing the solo. My other symphonic works were performed by the Las Vegas Symphony Orchestra, and the Orchestras of Cologne and Hagen, Germany, which performances were broadcast internationally on European radio. Was honored by the L. A. Jazz Society on April 7, 2001, at the Los Angeles Musicians Union, receiving the "Vibraharpists' Academy Award," Terry Gibbs, Emil Richards, Larry Bunker, plus twenty other vibe players and stars participating in that VIBE SUMMIT, hosted by producer Mal Sands and was recently featured at famous jazz radio personality Chuck Niles' big birthday bash at the Long Beach Westin Hotel, accompanied by Abraham Laboriel, Roger Kellaway and Peter Donald, and I appeared with my group at Charlie O's (L.A.) and The Bootlegger (Las Vegas) in August 2003, with great success, featuring Roger Lee on drums and Gus Mancuso, on piano. My book, "HOW TO TELL WHAT THINGS ARE REALLY WORTH," is now available on Amazon. com and bookstores everywhere. It explains my patented invention, recognized by top scientists in the world. The prototype may be viewed online at Carvalu.com
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Tommy Vig 2022: Jazz Jazz
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by Jack Bowers
In a musical career spanning more than seven decades, Hungarian-born vibraphonist and percussionist Tommy Vig spent many productive years as a composer, arranger, performer, leader and sideman in the U.S.A., and planted his jazz flag in many precincts, from straight-ahead to semi-classical, avant-garde to atonal, He touches almost every base on Jazz Jazz, recorded in his homeland as the Coronavirus pandemic finally waned. Some listeners may love the music, others may dislike it, while the majority may fall somewhere in ...
read moreTommy Vig: Welcome to Hungary
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by Hrayr Attarian
Although not as well-known in the US as his compatriots Attila Zoller and Gábor Szabó, percussionist Tommy Vig is every bit as talented as the two guitarists with a unique vision and unrelenting quest for perfection. Born in Budapest, Vig was a child prodigy, having recorded on drums at the tender age of eight. Political climate forced him into a self-imposed exile to the US where he made a living playing behind other jazz musicians, vocalists and ...
read moreTake Five With Tommy Vig
![Read "Take Five With Tommy Vig" reviewed by Tommy Vig](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/tommmyvig100x100.jpg)
by Tommy Vig
Meet Tommy Vig: Born to a musical family in Budapest, Tommy Vig was internationally recognized as a child prodigy by the age of six, playing drums with his father, clarinetist Gyorgy Vig. His sense of improvisation, rhythm and energy at that young age made him unique, and he performed live concerts on radio, at the Budapest City Theatre, the Academy of Music in Budapest, and even the National Circus. At the age of eight, he made an album, ...
read moreTommy Vig: Welcome to Hungary!
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by Jerry D'Souza
Vibraphonist Tommy Vig has had an interesting career. Born in Budapest, he played the drums when he was six and recorded his first album two years later. Music was his passion, but the political landscape in Hungary was to cast a shadow on his days as a jazz musician. Jazz was banned in 1949, and Vig could not play it again until 1956. With the defeat of the Hungarian Revolution, Vig decided that it was time to move on. Move ...
read moreTommy Vig: Now and Then
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by C. Michael Bailey
Tommy Vig is one of those jazz names which, when it pops to the surface, triggers you to say, Hey, I’ve heard of him." Among many listeners, anyway. Among musicians, Mr. Vig is well known, his extensive discography betraying the fact. Among his credits are performances with Stan Kenton, Quincy Jones, Henry Mancini, Red Rodney, Joe Pass, Don Ellis, Art Pepper, the Miles Davis/Gil Evans big band, and others. He is credited with contributions to the Manhattan Transfer’s The Anthology: ...
read moreTommy Vig Celebrating The Release Of "Welcome To Hungary!"
![Tommy Vig Celebrating The Release Of "Welcome To Hungary!"](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/profile/tommmyvig100x100.jpg)
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Tommy Vig
Brand New CD by Tommy Vig: Welcome to Hungary! The Tommy Vig Orchestra 2012 Featuring David Murray Tommy Vig (2011) Klasszikus Jazz Label, Budapest Upcoming Performances Budapest, Hungary Tommy Vig 74th Birthday Concert Saturday, July 14, 2012 @ 7:00PM Jazz Cafe - Restaurant Ráday utca 19 Phone: (36 1) 299 0694 Gyula, Hungary Tommy Vig Quintet Saturday, July 21, 2012 @ 9:00PM Gyula Castle ...
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Tommy Vig Strikes Again!
![Tommy Vig Strikes Again!](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
The Tommy Vig Quintet Featuring Mia On Vocals And Roger Lee On Drums Celebrating The Release Of Tommy Vig's Brand New CD: Now And Then - Tommy Vig 2004" Pannon Jazz Label, Budapest Available in the USA at CDBaby.com Read the reviews on Allaboutjazz.com and CDBaby.com
LA: Sunday, June 13, 2004 7:30 P.M. Charlie O's Bar & Grill 13725 Victory ...
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Tommy Vig Is Still Alive?
![Tommy Vig Is Still Alive?](https://s3.amazonaws.com/allaboutjazz/photos/logo/bd38a72ed12128b10ddc05c6087dacb8.jpg)
Source:
All About Jazz
Thirty (30) vibraharp players will celebrate Tommy Vig at the Los Angeles Musicians Union Ballroom at 1-5 PM on Sunday, April 7, 2002. This VIBE SUMMIT is organized by Mal Sands. Participants include Terry Gibbs and Emil Richards. The rhythm section is headed by Dave Mackay. That evening the Tommy Vig Quartet will be the featured attraction at the jazz club Charlie O's at 13725 Victory Boulevard, Van Nuys, CA 91401 (818) 994-3058. The gog at Chatlie O's is from ...
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"Cohesion, fire, tenderness, fine soloists and excellent charts" - The Jazz Record Digest
"Intriguing musical statements... of compelling interest" - Playboy Magazine
"Tommy Vig's talents as a composer, arranger, percussionist and vibe soloist are quite admirable"- Jazz And Pop
"Big Band with a bite... Brilliant." - Army Times
"Superlative playing" - Jazz Monthly, England
"Swings with a vengeance" - Los Angeles Times
"Tremendously exciting band" - Daily Variety
"High standard of performance" - Saturday Review of Literature
Primary Instrument
Vibraphone
Location
Budapest
Willing to teach
Advanced only
Credentials/Background
Northridge University, Tatabánya Jazz School, Bartók Conservatory, Juilliard School of Music
Clinic/Workshop Information
Willing to teach jazz improvisation on any instrument.
Photos
Music
Rise and Shine
From: Welcome to Hungary!By Tommy Vig