Vincent Ingala (born December 10, 1992) is a contemporary/urban jazz multi-instrumentalist.[1] The tenor saxophone is his main instrument of choice, though he plays drums, guitar, piano, and sings as well. He has released seven albums, his most recent being released on September 17, 2021.

Vincent Ingala
Vincent Ingala performing in St. Helena, California, in August 2021.
Background information
Birth nameVincent Ingala
Born (1992-12-10) December 10, 1992 (age 31)
OriginProspect, Connecticut, United States
GenresSmooth jazz, urban jazz, R&B
Occupation(s)Musician, composer, producer
Instrument(s)Saxophone, Guitar, Drums
Years active2010–present
Websitevincentingala.com

Biography edit

Ingala was born in Prospect, Connecticut, to parents Leo and Dawn Ingala. At age four, he started playing the drums when his parents bought him a drum set for Christmas. As he got older he learned to play the guitar, the piano, and later the saxophone at age 10.[1] He is self taught on all instruments. As a teenager, he played the local restaurant and club circuit. His father was a mobile disc jockey, which introduced Vincent to many different styles of music, including 50s rock ’n’ roll, soul, funk, R&B, and also smooth jazz.[2]

His debut album North End Soul, released in 2010, featured smooth jazz and R&B tracks played on the saxophone, guitar, and piano. At seventeen years old, Ingala did the recording, composing, and producing for the album.[3] The song "It Is What It Is" peaked at No. 14 on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Songs.

Ingala's second album Can't Stop Now, released in 2012, features keyboardist Gregg Karukas and pianist Jonathan Fritzén. He wrote or co-wrote seven of the album's tracks, and programmed and composed the album.[citation needed] Can't Stop Now peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Jazz Albums.[4] It also reached No. 15 on SmoothJazz.com's Year End 2014 Top 50 Albums, and had five songs place in the top 10 on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Songs, including "Wish I Was There" at No. 1.

His third album, Coast to Coast, was released in 2015. The album name reflects his move from the east coast (Connecticut) to the west coast (Long Beach, California). Ingala did the programming, composing, producing, and vocals for the album. The album peaked at No. 12 on the Billboard Jazz Albums,[4] and placed at No. 5 on the SmoothJazz.com's 2015 Top 50 Year End Chart.[5] "When I'm With You" and "Coast To Coast" both peaked at No. 1 on Billboard's Smooth Jazz Songs.

His fourth album was Christmas, released in 2016. Guest artists on the album include Ariana Savalas, Steve Oliver, and Justin Shandor.[6] It features smooth jazz renditions of several Christmas songs played on the saxophone, piano, and guitar. Ingala performs the majority of the vocals.[7]

In 2018, Ingala departed from being an independent artist and signed with record label Shanachie, releasing Personal Touch.[8] Ingala performed all instruments for all 10 tracks on the album, and wrote all but two of them. The song “Snap, Crackle, Pop” went to No. 1 on the Billboard Smooth Jazz chart for five weeks. 

Ingala has performed throughout the USA and in several countries, including the United Kingdom, Mexico, Indonesia, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Africa.[9] He has recorded and performed with numerous other instrumental artists such as Peter White, Dave Koz, Mindi Abair, Kirk Whalum, Rick Braun, David Benoit, Keiko Matsui, Earl Klugh, Paul Taylor, Steve Oliver, Michael Lington, Gregg Karukas, Jonathan Fritzen, and Chris Geith

Discography edit

Album Release date
North End Soul June 29, 2010
Can't Stop Now June 14, 2012
Coast to Coast May 1, 2015
Christmas November 18, 2016
Personal Touch April 27, 2018
Echoes from the Heart February 21, 2020
Fire and Desire September 17, 2021

References edit

  1. ^ a b Collar, Matt. "Vincent Ingala - Biography on iTunes". itunes.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  2. ^ "Bio @ vincentingala.com". vincentingala.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  3. ^ "North End Soul". www.cdbaby.com. CD Baby. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b "Vincent Ingala - Awards @ allmusic". www.allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  5. ^ "SmoothJazz.com Top 50 Album Chart For 2015". www.smoothjazz.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.
  6. ^ "Christmas on CDBaby". www.cdbaby.com. CD Baby. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  7. ^ "Christmas on iTunes". www.itunes.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  8. ^ "Personal Touch by Vincent Ingala". itunes.apple.com. Apple Inc. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  9. ^ "Vincent Ingala - Shows and Tour Dates". vincentingala.com. Retrieved 8 May 2016.

External links edit