James Diaz
Called “stark, haunting elegance” with “intimate focus” by The Washington Post and "ethereal" by The Wire, the music of Colombian-born composer and electroacoustic musician Díaz embodies a spectrum of compositional practices, blending digital techniques and collaborative exploration. From electronic compositions to amplified solo works, orchestral pieces, and multimedia creations, his music strives to evoke distinctive sonic textures, assemble resonant sound masses, and construct psychedelic immersive environments.
In 2023, the New York Philharmonic and the Juilliard MAP Orchestra premiered Díaz’s work "and does the Moon also fall?" at Lincoln Center. That same year, Musical America Worldwide named Díaz the New Artist of the Month in May. Recently, the Latin Grammy-winning orchestra La Nueva Filarmonía, conducted by maestro Ricardo Jaramillo, recorded his work "B-sides" for the album "Aire, Aire... No Puedo Respirar," which has been nominated for the 2024 Latin Grammy Award for Best Classical Album.
Díaz’s works have been performed by leading orchestras including the Basel Sinfonietta, the Cologne Radio Orchestra (WDR Sinfonieorchester), the Sinfónica Nacional de Colombia, La Nueva Filarmonía, American Composers Orchestra, Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, Xalapa Symphony Orchestra, Nashville Symphony, Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá, and the Orchestra of St. Luke's and by ensembles such as The New York New Music Ensemble, Longleash, Sō Percussion, Yarn/Wire, HUB New Music, TAK Ensemble, National Sawdust Ensemble, La Sociedad, Unheard-of//ensemble, among others.
Díaz, serving as the first-time ever composer-in-residence for the Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín, premiered "RETRO," his largest work for orchestra and electronics in 2019.
