Community Concerts @ First
The Community Concerts at First music series celebrates amazing artists from Vermont and New England and brings our community together. Community Concerts at First is an opportunity to hear great music and raise funds for FCCEJ and our community partners.
A portion of the 2026 CC@F concert proceeds will support AgeWell. Their mission is to empower and support individuals as they age by providing community connection and access to services.
April 26th: Ray Vega
Community Concerts @ First presents the Ray Vega Afro Caribbean Jazz Ensemble on April 26 at 3pm at the First Congregational Church of Essex Junction.
A native of the South Bronx, RAY VEGA is a veteran of the bands of Tito Puente, Ray Barretto, Mongo Santamaria, Mario Bauza, Luis “Perico” Ortiz, Hector LaVoe, Johnny Pacheco, Larry Harlow, Pete “El Conde” Rodriguez and Louie Ramirez to name a few. Ray has performed and/or recorded with Nicholas Payton, Joe Henderson, Lionel Hampton, Mel Torme, Paquito D’Rivera, Arturo Sandoval, The Chico O’Farrill Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra, Jazz at Lincoln Center Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, Paul Simon, Frank Foster’s Loud Minority Big Band, Diane Schuur, The Caribbean Jazz Project, Pete Escovedo/Sheila E, Michel Camilo, Eddie Palmieri, The Mingus Big Band and La Orquesta Sinfonica de Simon Bolivar (Venezuela) among numerous others.
Ray has established himself as one of the innovators of the international Jazz and Latin music scenes. A multi-talented trumpeter, percussionist, composer, arranger and educator, he presents Jazz from a refreshingly original and contemporary perspective. His two recordings on the Concord Picante label, his self-titled debut “Ray Vega”, and “Boperation”, along with his 1st release on the Palmetto label “Pa’lante” have been well received by critics, audiences and musicians alike. Vega’s 2nd Palmetto CD “Squeeze, Squeeze” has also received critical acclaim including Four Stars in Down Beat Magazine. Vega’s CD “East-West Trumpet Summit” was a collaboration with Seattle trumpeter Thomas Marriott. The CD was released in the summer of 2010 on Origin Records and it hit number 1 on the Jazzweek national radio Jazz charts during the week of June 21, 2010. His latest CD “Chapter Two” is produced Thomas Marriott. It was released in the Spring of 2014 on Truth Revolution Records. The CD has already received much critical acclaim including a 3 and a half star rating in Down Beat magazine (Nov. 14, 2014). Vega’s latest release (2016) is his second collaboration with Thomas Marriott entitled “Return of the East-West Trumpet Summit”……it’s currently in major airplay rotation nationwide.
Ray Vega now resides in South Burlington, Vermont. He is a senior lecturer at The University of Vermont (UVM) where he teaches Jazz History, Jazz Improvisation, directs 3 Jazz combos and directs the trumpet studio (Jazz Performance). UVM inducted Vega as a University Scholar for 2015-16. Vega is the first creative artist to receive this high honor and recognition at the university. Vega is the host of Vermont Public Radio’s Friday Night Jazz show.
His current music projects are Ray Vega and his New York Latin Jazz All-Stars, The Ray Vega Quartet, and Ray Vega Latin Jazz Sextet.
September 27th: Hair Peace
On Sunday September 27 at 3pm, Community Concerts @ First presents a rollicking concert by Hair Peace. A guitar and vocal duo, they perform acoustic music from the 60’s through today. Their harmonies and musicality will have you tapping your toe in no time. Join us for an afternoon of great music to support AgeWell.
November 1st: Skylark
Skylark is an eclectic contemporary string ensemble based in northern Vermont. With decades of experience in the professional music community, Skylark’s sound and repertoire challenge the boundaries between the classical and folk traditions, creating innovative and original works for all audiences. Influenced by the Nordic, Celtic and American regions, Skylark’s music is melody-driven with unique energy, irresistible flair and undeniable beauty.
Known for their vibrant quartet concerts, Skylark is also an avid collaborator. Recent concert projects have included performances with Guster, Henry Jamison, the Solaris vocal ensemble, Mary Bonhag and an album recording with Jazz trumpeter Connor Young.
Violinist, teacher and curator Jane Kittredge can be seen and heard performing with numerous ensembles across the northeast. A graduate of the Mannes College of Music (BM, MM), she is the Violin Professor at the UVM School of the Arts.
Violist Ana Ruesink is an active freelance musician and performs with orchestras and chamber groups throughout the region. With degrees from Swarthmore College and UVM, she teaches viola from her home and at the UVM School of the Arts.
Ben Lively is a versatile violinist and multi-instrumentalist with a wide-ranging musical background including classical, jazz, bluegrass, and tango music. He holds degrees from Middlebury College and Parisian jazz conservatory Centre des Musiques Didier Lockwood.
John Dunlop has been playing music for audiences in the northeast for over thirty years as principal cello with Vermont Symphony as well as many other regional ensembles. He teaches the next generation of cellists at his private studio in Richmond VT.