Vince di Mura (often stylized as Vince Di Mura or Vince diMura) is a highly accomplished, award-winning jazz pianist, composer, arranger, and musical director based in the Princeton, New Jersey area (near New York City). He’s not primarily known for leading a traditional “rock band” setup, but he does perform and lead ensembles, including his own jazz projects and the innovative Summer Breeze Chinese Jazz Fusion Ensemble (which blends jazz with traditional Chinese instruments like the pipa, featuring collaborators such as vocalist Lina Zha and pipa player Yang Jing). This group has performed over 100 shows, from major venues like Lincoln Center to intimate settings.
Here are some strong reasons to consider hiring him and his band/ensemble for an event, gig, private performance, or special occasion:
• World-class musicianship and versatility: Classically trained from a young age (a child prodigy who performed at Carnegie Hall at 14), he’s a “prolific jazz artist and classical virtuoso” (as described by industry peers). He blends jazz, blues, classical influences, and even innovative fusions like Chinese-jazz hybrids, delivering sophisticated, engaging live music.
• Proven track record in high-profile settings: Longtime Resident Musical Director and Composer at Princeton University’s Lewis Center for the Arts (since 1987). He’s performed on concert stages and theaters across North America, Canada, Europe, and Latin America; fulfilled commissions from major institutions (Rutgers, Rider University, Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre, etc.); and collaborated with Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Yusef Komunyakaa on groundbreaking works like the symphonic jazz piece Oh God…Beautiful Machine (premiered with the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey).
• Popular tribute and cabaret arrangements: He’s best known for hugely successful shows like My Way: A Tribute to Frank Sinatra, I Left My Heart: A Tribute to Tony Bennett, Simply Simone, and Christmas My Way—with close to 1,000 productions nationally and internationally through Summerwind Productions. If your event wants sophisticated jazz standards, Sinatra/Bennett-style crooner vibes, or vocal-jazz sets, his arrangements bring polish and crowd-pleasing appeal.
• Released recordings and availability: He has multiple CDs out (e.g., Imperfect Balance, A Darker Shade of Romance, California Sage with top sidemen on bass/drums, Love Was), available on platforms like Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music. His music spans straight-ahead jazz, blues-infused improv, and more experimental pieces.
• Fresh, culturally rich innovation: His recent work with Summer Breeze fuses Western jazz with Chinese musical elements, creating unique, “reborn” sounds he’s passionate about. This could make your event stand out—especially for cultural, arts-focused, or upscale gatherings in NYC/NJ.
• Professional and reliable: He holds fellowships from organizations like the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, Meet the Composer, and others. Peers call him “unparalleled,” and he’s a go-to for theater, dance, cabaret, and concert settings.
If you’re planning a wedding, corporate event, private party, jazz club night, theater-related function, or something needing elegant live music (solo piano up to full ensemble), Vince di Mura and his group would deliver exceptional quality, creativity, and professionalism. He’s particularly well-suited for audiences who appreciate nuanced jazz, standards, or cross-cultural flair rather than high-energy rock/pop covers.
For direct booking or current availability, check his profiles on sites like Bandcamp (************************), Princeton Arts pages, or related theater networks—he’s active in the NJ/NY arts scene.See more
