New faces on the Jazz horizon this weekend. Daniel Garcia Diego and his sextet in concert at the International Jazzfestival in Münster, Germany and recorded on January 4th of this year by North German Radio.
Spanish jazz pianist Daniel García is known for his musical blend of jazz and flamenco. He studied at the Berkelee College of Music in Boston and was influenced by jazz greats such as Danilo Pérez, which shaped his improvisational skills and unique style. García combines traditional Spanish music with modern jazz elements and has made an international name for himself with his trio. Daniel García is considered one of the most important voices in modern European jazz and impresses with his stylistic versatility and musical innovation.
The Spanish pianist Daniel García Diego is garnering international fame for the way in which he builds bridges between contemporary jazz music and the flamenco tradition. ‘One of today’s most exciting Spanish jazz pianists’, according to Jazz Thing magazine, he has played with greats like Ibrahim Maalouf, Anat Cohen and Arturo Sandoval.
For his latest project La Forma del Fuego (The Shape of Fire), commissioned by November Music and the Dutch Flamenco Biennial, Daniel García Diego brought together a sextet of top musicians from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds: Reinier Baas (guitar), Mario Rom (trumpet), Delaram Kafashzadeh (vocals), Shayan Fathi (drums) and Arin Keshishi (bass guitar).
“The Shape of Fire (La forma del fuego) refers to the soul, the energy or fire that glows at the core of all music aiming to convey human emotions and life experiences,” says Daniel García Diego. “Whether it originates from flamenco, jazz, contemporary music, or Armenian folk songs, music possesses the power to connect with the inner self and transform it into art.”
The Shape of Fire had its world premiere at Bimhuis on 15 November 2024, and played afterwards at November Music in Den Bosch and LantarenVenster Rotterdam.
On this concert, Daniel Garcia Diego is joined by Reinier Baas, guitar – Arin Keshishi, bass – Miron Rafajlovic, trump – Shayan Fathi, percussion and Deleram Kafashzadeh, vocals.
Who says Jazz is dead? Not us.
Dive in and dig it awhile.
