by Scott Yanow
Trumpeter Ray Vega, who has mostly played in Afro-Cuban jazz settings (including with Mongo Santamaria, Ray Barretto, and Tito Puente), mostly emphasizes hard bop on his self-titled debut, especially on "Greenhouse" (based on "What Is This Thing Called Love") and a medium-slow "Alone Together." However he also performs some Latin music and Wilson "Chembo" Corniel is prominent on conga. Vega's combo (which includes tenor saxophonist Roger Byam) is skillful at switching between the two overlapping styles. A fine effort.