Jazz musician Al Vega dies aged 90

A long-time US musician who played with some of the country's finest jazz talents during a 70-year career has died at the age of 90.

Hospital spokeswoman Kory Dodd said Al Vega died at Massachusetts General Hospital. No cause of death was given.

Boston radio personality Ron Della Chiesa said Vega, born Aram Vagramian, was the house pianist at the Hi-Hat jazz club in the late 1930s, 40s and 50s, and played with jazz greats including Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis, Count Basie and Duke Ellington.

He later led his own trio.

Della Chiesa called Vega a legendary musician and teacher. He said Vega was also a Second World War veteran.