Javier Diaz, a native of Cuba, is a percussionist with the American Symphony Orchestra and with several chamber music groups and Latin Jazz Bands in the New York Area. He has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York Chamber Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, New York Perspectives Ensemble, Zankel Hall New Music Band, Hilliard Ensemble, Broadway's productions of Man of La Mancha, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Brooklyn, Tarzan, Guys and Dolls, The Wiz, Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown and The Lion King. His studio credits include ECM's Tituli by Stephen Hartke with the Hilliard Ensemble, award-winning films such as Tango Flush and Jesus Camp and many TV and radio commercials.
As an Afro-Cuban percussion specialist Mr. Diaz has appeared with: Sean Kingston, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Shaka Khan, Patty LaBelle, Lazaro Galarraga's Afro-Cuban All Stars, percussionists Angel Luis Figueroa, Candido Camero, Román Diaz and Pedro Martinez, The Panamerican Jazz Band, The Ethnix, Anette Aguilars Latin Jazz Group, Marta Topferova, Edmar Castañeda and the New York World Music Institute. He is currently a member and co-director of the world music group Tribal Sage, a collaborative effort with fellow percussionist Roger Squitero.
An active educator Mr. Diaz has taught classical percussion at El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela and at his private studio in New York City. He has also taught Afro-Cuban percussion seminars, classes and clinics at the Peabody Institute, University of Southern California, Percussion Artists Workshops Los Angeles/New York, Los Angeles School District, The Juilliard School and Mannes School of Music in New York City.
Mr. Diaz currently teaches the Afro-Latin percussion survey at the Juilliard School and directs the Afro-Cuban Percussion Ensemble at Rutgers University. His most recent book on Afro-Cuban percussion, The Afro-Cuban Handbook, has become an instant classic of the percussion literature.
As a composer, Mr. Diaz has been commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival, New York University and University of Southern California. His classical music is currently available through Bachovich Music.
An alumnus of El Sistema de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Venezuela and the Aspen Music Festival, Mr. Diaz holds a BM from the University of Southern California and a MM from The Juilliard School.
CURRENT/RECENT POSITIONS
JULLIARD SCHOOL AFRO-LATIN PERCUSSION SURVEY CLASS
RUTGERS UNIVERSITY AFRO-CUBAN PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
MANNES SCHOOL OF MUSIC AFRO-LATIN PERCUSSION CLASS
JUILLIARD SCHOOL SUMMER PERCUSSION INTENSIVE PROGRAM
OTHER INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS AVAILABLE
AFRO-CUBAN PERCUSSION GROUP CLASSES
PRIVATE LESSONS CLASSICAL AND LATIN PERCUSSION
UNIVERSITY/COLLEGE CLINICS AND MASTERCLASSES
Afro-Cuban Percussion Class
E-MAIL ME AT: javier_di_hotmail.com FOR AVAILABILITY
Javier and Chandani
1. Majicali - Javier Diaz
2. Forest Path - Tribal Sage
3. Las Flores - Tribal Sage
4. Ero - Tribal Sage
5. Marimba G Minor Fugue - Bach
6. Tituli - Stephen Hartkey
7. Cajon - Trio Andrew Beall
8. Strangers Like Me - Phil Collins
9. Maleza Pt 1 - NYU Percussion Ensemble
10. Maleza Pt 2 - NYU Percussion Ensemble
11. Five Pieces for Marimba and Double Bass - Javier Diaz ft. Nick Stoup
To get your new copy of The Afro-Cuban Handbook by Javier Diaz click HERE
To get Javier's latest album Tribal Sage: Behind The Mask click HERE
To purchase sheet music by Javier click HERE
# 0659 - Diaz, Javier: Maleza for percussion trio
# 0623 - Diaz, Javier: Four Pieces for Solo Marimba
# 0624 - Diaz, Javier: Cinco Piezas para Marimba y Contrabajo (Five Pieces for Marimba and Double Bass)
