Vega (Al) is born in Worcester.

The son of immigrant parents, Al Vega moves with them to Chelsea, attends Northeastern University and the New England Conservatory, serves in the U.S. Army, married, and settles in Everett. Rather than tour, Vega stays in Boston and serves as house pianist at the Hi-Hat Club, where he plays with such performers as Miles Davis, Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Billie Holiday, Charlie Parker and Nina Simone. He also formed his own trio that plays in local clubs. Vega dies in Boston on December 2, 2011.