Donald Vega (born 23 July 1974, in Masaya) is a Nicaraguan-born American jazz pianist and composer. After arriving in Los Angeles in 1989, he began classical piano training at the Colburn School and was later mentored by Billy Higgins, John Clayton, and Kenny Barron. Vega gained recognition for winning The Los Angeles Music Center's Spotlight Award in 1991. His recording career as a leader began with the album Tomorrows (2008), followed by Spiritual Nature (2012), With Respect to Monty (2015), and As I Travel (2023). He performed internationally as the pianist for Ron Carter’s Golden Striker Trio. Vega received Down Beat’s 2007 Jazz Student Soloist Award and won first place at the 2008 Philips Jazz Piano Competition. In 2023, he was named a Guggenheim Fellow for music composition. He also became a professor at The Juilliard School.
