Newsletter Archives
2003 and earlier
The American Mavericks Radio Program - Begins April 2003
Suzanne hosts public radio's American Mavericks™ program, a groundbreaking new radio and Internet series produced by Minnesota Public Radio in association with the San Francisco Symphony and Michael Tilson Thomas, Music Director. The radio program was released in April 2003.
Inspired by the adventurous repertoire of the San Francisco Symphony and its concert festival of the same name, American Mavericks features iconoclastic, tradition-breaking composers—from Charles Ives and Laurie Anderson to Aaron Copland and John Adams. Suzanne Vega, renowned for her musical innovation, hosts this gathering of entertaining and compelling stories, personalities and performances. American Mavericks is a 13-week series of hour-long shows available in April 2003.
Each of the programs is streamed on the net at the American Mavericks Website's Listening Room.
Vigil CD Released to Benefit Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund
Following the tragedies of September 11, the nation and especially New Yorkers have pulled together in a support of solidarity to honor the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Suzanne Vega and fellow members of the Greenwich Village Songwriter's Exchange have released a tribute CD titled Vigil, with songs written about those events.
As executive producer, Suzanne has compiled several songs by the members, as well as contributed her own song, "It Hit Home"[MP3 sound clip]
"Vigil is a natural response to try and bring together the people who want to know how New York is doing after the attacks, and those who were writing about life in New York City, as we all attempted to return to normal," says Suzanne Vega.
Founded by folk pioneer Jack Hardy, the Greenwich Village Songwriter's Exchange has provided local New York songwriters a weekly workshop where its members share new songs and exchange ideas.
The list of contributing songwriters are: Suzanne Vega, Christine Lavin, Tim Robinson, Jack Hardy, Wendy Beckerman, Bob Hillman, Jon Albrink, Ina May Wool, dawn Landes, Brian Rose, Richard Julian, Jill Gewirtz, Amy Marie Keller, Andy Germak, Noam Weinstein, Frank Tedesso and Richard Meyer. Tim Robinson also contributes his artwork to Vigil; Tim did all the graphic design on the Vigil CD booklet.
Vigil can be purchased exclusively at Amazon.com.
All profits from Vigil will go to the Windows of Hope Family Relief Fund.
For more information on Vigil, including songwriter bios, MP3s from each song on the CD, a history of the Songwriter's Exchange, photos and more, please visit The Vigil Website.
Remembering Tim Vega
TIM VEGA 1965- 2002
photo courtesy Christopher Kelly Seufert
Tim Vega, prominent and well loved New York City artist and brother of pop-folk singer songwriter Suzanne Vega, died at 36 years of age on April 29, 2002.
As a native New Yorker, Tim embraced the creative pulse of the city and all its magic, music, culture, art and design. A talented and passionate artist, Tim first established his roots in graffiti art. Soon afterward, his art would grace the first official T-shirts for the popular jam band Blues Traveler. Tim’s artwork symbolized the spirit and sound of the band and helped to fashion a unique identity for them.
As he continued his relationship with Blues Traveler, Tim also created artwork for the cover of the band’s self-titled debut album and would design countless Blues Traveler T-shirts, posters and paraphernalia. Tim also created posters for H.O.R.D.E., a popular traveling summer festival. Tim was also responsible for creating the original logo for the band Gov’t Mule, as well as various pieces for the Spin Doctors and murals for New York City’s Wetlands nightclub. Samples of Tim’s eclectic body of work can be viewed at galleries throughout New York City and also on his website at tim.vega.net.
In addition, Tim worked for New York concert promotion company Delsner/Slater as a production assistant, running security at such music industry events as the Maverick Records party for Me'Shell N’Dgeocello at Wetlands, which was hosted by Madonna. Tim also did security for Courtney Love when she performed at the Beacon Theater.
As the younger brother of singer/songwriter Suzanne Vega, Tim also designed concert T-shirts for his sister and in 1993 joined her on the road running the merchandise booth. This past year, Tim and Suzanne worked together on her music video for the single “Last Year’s Troubles” where Tim shot and art-directed footage on a home video camera.
Recently, Tim worked as a production assistant for the summer dance festival series “On Stage! At the Twin Towers” which staged concerts at the Austin J. Tobin Plaza located at the World Trade Center. As a member of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, who presented these events, Tim worked on various productions that included Ballet Hispanico, Celia Cruz, and Evening Stars Dance, which on September 10 featured the Dance Theatre of Harlem.
On the morning of September 11, Tim happened to call in sick and was spared in the terrorist attacks.
Tim Vega died in his sleep on April 29 and is survived by his mother Patricia Vega, his two sisters, Suzanne and Alyson, his brother Matthew, and his father, the writer Edgardo Vega Yunque. His artistic talent, steadfast passion, and warm compassion will be missed by many.
A special memorial exhibit of Tim Vega’s artwork was held from December 6 through 21 at The HERE Arts Center. Documentary filmmaker Christopher Kelly Seufert put together a photo gallery from this exhibition which included performances by Suzanne, Joan Osborne, Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors, John Popper of Blues Traveler, Jaik Miller and Warren Haynes. You can visit the photo gallery on Christopher's website.
visit Tim's website: tim.vega.net
also see a 1993 London Sunday Times Article
That's all for now ~ Thanks as always for your continued support!
The Suzanne Vega Website Crew
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