JOAQUIN DIAZ
Listen to cebollin y ajo
'In Diaz's hands merengue is hard-core stuff, an exhilarating polyrhythmic ride on a runaway train.'
World music festival of Chicago
Joaquin Diaz's repertoire is a mixture of traditional and original tunes that is characterized by its exhilarating syncopated rhythms. His new fans are introduced to discover a different aspect of the diatonic accordion showcasing his infectiuous vocals. Joaquin Diaz is one of the best of a new breed of traditional merengue artist.
Forced to earn a living at the age of nine, he became a musician playing on the streets in Santo Domingo.
Still in his teens he performed at the Pan-American Games in Puerto Rico that led him to play at the presidential home for the then President Joaquin Balaguer.
In 1990 Joaquin brought Dominican magic and his accordion wizardry with him in Canada. Now residing in Montreal, he has matured into a consummate artist delighting audiences wherever he goes.
Joaquin and his band have become involved in a pretty impressive trajectory. Their participation at various venues and festivals took them to share their tropical energy touring Canada, United States and Europe.
A grant was awarded to Diaz by the Canada Council for the Arts to study conjunto music in the city of San Antonio Texas, crossroad of the accordion.
'Joaquin Diaz is a dynamic performer who not only moves your body and feet, but your heart and soul as well.' Juan Tejeda, co-founder of the International Accordion Festival, San Antonio Texas.
Performance Highlights include:
Montreal International Jazz Festival, Québec
International Accordion Festival, San Antonio Texas
Chicago World Music Festival, Illinois
California World Music Festival, California
Latin Music Festival, Columbus Ohio
Music and Heritage Festival, Memphis Tennessee
Lotus Festival, Indianapolis Indiana
Carrefour Mondial de l'accordéon, Montmagny Québec
Rencontres Internationales de St-Chartier, France
Ethnic and World Music Festival, Prague Czech Republic
Forde World Music Festival, Norway
Festival des Suds, Arles France
Kaustinen World Music Festival, Finland
Music under the Stars, El Paso Texas
Forum Universal de la Cultura, Barcelona Espana
Rencontres Européennes de l'Accordéon, Chartres France
Out of Doors Concert Series, Lincoln Center, New York N.Y.
Winnipeg Folk Festival, Manitoba
Festival d'Été de Québec, Québec
East Lansing Folk Festival, Michigan
THE PRESS SAYS:
'I was knocked out by a Diaz performance recently at a Folk Alliance Conference in Vancouver, and decided to bring him to the festival'
Judy Peiser , Folk Alliance Board of Directors
Memphis Music and Heritage Festival
'Diaz puts on a smart show with those reckless rhythms from the Caribbean island'
Geoff Chapman Toronto Star
'Need a lift to your spirit or just want to feel good all over, get this lively, delightful CD Merengue Alegre'
Al Riess Dirty Linen
'Crowds who hear him literally spring to their feet, dancing and clamoring for more of this exiting music from Dominican Republic'
Arhoolie Records
World music festival of Chicago
Joaquin Diaz's repertoire is a mixture of traditional and original tunes that is characterized by its exhilarating syncopated rhythms. His new fans are introduced to discover a different aspect of the diatonic accordion showcasing his infectiuous vocals. Joaquin Diaz is one of the best of a new breed of traditional merengue artist.
Forced to earn a living at the age of nine, he became a musician playing on the streets in Santo Domingo.
Still in his teens he performed at the Pan-American Games in Puerto Rico that led him to play at the presidential home for the then President Joaquin Balaguer.
In 1990 Joaquin brought Dominican magic and his accordion wizardry with him in Canada. Now residing in Montreal, he has matured into a consummate artist delighting audiences wherever he goes.
Joaquin and his band have become involved in a pretty impressive trajectory. Their participation at various venues and festivals took them to share their tropical energy touring Canada, United States and Europe.
A grant was awarded to Diaz by the Canada Council for the Arts to study conjunto music in the city of San Antonio Texas, crossroad of the accordion.
'Joaquin Diaz is a dynamic performer who not only moves your body and feet, but your heart and soul as well.' Juan Tejeda, co-founder of the International Accordion Festival, San Antonio Texas.
Performance Highlights include:
Montreal International Jazz Festival, Québec
International Accordion Festival, San Antonio Texas
Chicago World Music Festival, Illinois
California World Music Festival, California
Latin Music Festival, Columbus Ohio
Music and Heritage Festival, Memphis Tennessee
Lotus Festival, Indianapolis Indiana
Carrefour Mondial de l'accordéon, Montmagny Québec
Rencontres Internationales de St-Chartier, France
Ethnic and World Music Festival, Prague Czech Republic
Forde World Music Festival, Norway
Festival des Suds, Arles France
Kaustinen World Music Festival, Finland
Music under the Stars, El Paso Texas
Forum Universal de la Cultura, Barcelona Espana
Rencontres Européennes de l'Accordéon, Chartres France
Out of Doors Concert Series, Lincoln Center, New York N.Y.
Winnipeg Folk Festival, Manitoba
Festival d'Été de Québec, Québec
East Lansing Folk Festival, Michigan
THE PRESS SAYS:
'I was knocked out by a Diaz performance recently at a Folk Alliance Conference in Vancouver, and decided to bring him to the festival'
Judy Peiser , Folk Alliance Board of Directors
Memphis Music and Heritage Festival
'Diaz puts on a smart show with those reckless rhythms from the Caribbean island'
Geoff Chapman Toronto Star
'Need a lift to your spirit or just want to feel good all over, get this lively, delightful CD Merengue Alegre'
Al Riess Dirty Linen
'Crowds who hear him literally spring to their feet, dancing and clamoring for more of this exiting music from Dominican Republic'
Arhoolie Records
