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Greg Diamond

Greg Diamond is a prolific guitarist, composer, and recording artist from New York City.   Touted as “a rising star in the NewYork jazz scene" by All About Jazz and a “composer of great maturity and genius” by Latin Jazz Network, he has created his own niche with an innovative and eclectic to composition paired with remarkable instrumental versatility.

Since 2008 he has released five albums in various formats. His work encompasses a broad spectrum of genres such as, contemporary and Afro-Latin jazz, blues, Americana, Latin American folk traditions, classical, funk, hip-hop, and jamband among many others.

He has presented his group at numerous premier venues, such as The Blue Note, Iridium Jazz Club, Joe’s Pub, Smalls Jazz Club,  and Zinc Bar —not to mention numerous international festivals such as, The Madrid International Jazz Festival, Barranquijazz Festival, Jimmy Glass Jazz Festival, Teatro Libre Jazz Festival, Medejazz Festival, Jazz al Parque Festival, and the Nublu Jazz Festival. In 2007 he was a semi-finalist at The Gibson International Jazz Guitar Competition hosted by The Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. 

 In the past two decades he has collaborated with  numerous noteworthy artists such as, Seamus Blake, Hector Martignon, John Benitez, Steve Turre, Bob Belden, Mark Shim, Henry Cole, Stacy Dillard, Samuel Torres, Oscar Stagnaro, Emilio Solla, Antonio Hart, Michael Philip Mossman, Don Friedman, Gretchen Parlato, Asha Puthli and others.

Diamond has a DMA in Instrumental Jazz Performance from the University of Miami and currently resides in the city of Miami.

Awards

Semifinalist 2007 Gibson International Guitar Competition in Montreux

Gear

Eastman Thin-line Prototype - Eastman Pagelli PG2 - Raimundo Classical -Godin Multiac ACS - Heritage H575 - Lexicon MX 200 - ART Studio V3 Preamp - PROCO RAT 2 Pedal - Boss Compressor Pedal


Tags

8
Album Review

Greg Diamond: Calera Solo Sessions

Read "Calera Solo Sessions" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Jazz guitarist Greg Diamond presents the enchanting Calera Solo Sessions, his fifth album as leader, second solo album and first recording on the classical guitar. As he states, the album ..."is a series of compositions written primarily for solo classical guitar; however, as such they are not bound to any specific genre." The project is dedicated to the memory of his late father, Jerome H. Diamond: a talented pianist and opera singer whom the guitarist says, he was ..." an ...

5
Album Review

Greg Diamond: Musings & Origins

Read "Musings & Origins" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Jazz guitarist Greg Diamond unveils his fourth album as leader, and his first solo recording, featuring thirteen original compositions specifically designed for the acoustic guitar. Musings & Origins captures an accomplished composer on a solo adventure performing original music created from 2002 to 2016. Preferring the acoustic guitar to other string instruments, Diamond's finger play and technique—well demonstrated here—provide ample testament to his skills as a musician and his mastery of his chosen instrument. Documenting his musical journey ...

4
Album Review

Greg Diamond: Avenida Graham

Read "Avenida Graham" reviewed by Edward Blanco


Brooklyn-based jazz guitarist Greg Diamond issues his most culturally diverse musical mosaic on Avenida Graham reflecting a blend of jazz and the Latin sound that has been an influential part of his life. Being half Eastern European Jewish and half Colombian, Diamond long ago learned to appreciate the Latin sounds listening to the music of Hector Lavoe and Willie Colon as he immersed himself in the jazz idiom later on. Living near Graham Avenue (aka Avenue of Puerto Rico) and ...

7
Catching Up With

Greg Diamond: Conduit as the Direction

Read "Greg Diamond: Conduit as the Direction" reviewed by Marta Ramon


Guitarist Greg Diamond has found his niche at the New York jazz scene. This cosmopolitan man knows how to pour both of his roots, New Yorker and Colombian, into his music. He has set his own style that lets his music be recognized. His playing has led him to perform with accomplished jazz musicians like saxophonist Seamus Blake, pianist Emilio Solla, trumpeter Philip Mossman and many others.At the beginning of the 2012, Diamond launched his second album, Conduit ...

31
Album Review

Greg Diamond: Conduit

Read "Conduit" reviewed by Edward Blanco


New York guitarist Greg Diamond follows up his well-received debut, Dancando Com Ale (Self Produced, 2008), with the equally impressive Conduit--a session of contemporary modern jazz infused with Latin rhythms and elements of jazz-rock fusion, funk, bebop and a touch of the blues. The music is a hodgepodge of different influences, melding nicely into one superb package performed by a first-rate group of players. A fixture in the city's vibrant jazz scene, Diamond has particular affinity for the Latin side ...

188
Album Review

Greg Diamond: Dancando Com Ale

Read "Dancando Com Ale" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


The intended program that an artist brings to a recording date is usually a good measure of his or her maturity and confidence. For instance, to begin a record with a song that is complex, harmonically and rhythmically bodes well for what is to follow. Guitarist Greg Diamond thought it fitting to begin Dancando Com Ale with his foxy, polyrhythmic “Paradigma." By the time the saxophones leap out of the flames of the ensemble, a forest fire is burning. Now ...

316
Take Five With...

Take Five With Greg Diamond

Read "Take Five With Greg Diamond" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Meet Greg Diamond:Greg Diamond is emerging in the New York jazz scene as a bandleader and sideman. He's performed at venues such as Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Rose Theater, (JALC) Smalls Jazz Club, The Knitting Factory, 55 Bar, Zinc Bar, and many others.

In 2007, he was invited to compete among six other finalists at the Gibson International Jazz Guitar Competition hosted by the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. Greg has shared the stage with such notables as: ...

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108

Performance / Tour

Guitarist/Composer Greg Diamond Will Be Performing with His Group at the Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on March 27th, 2010 - Midnight Set.

Guitarist/Composer Greg Diamond Will Be Performing with His Group at the Iridium Jazz Club in NYC on March 27th, 2010 - Midnight Set.

Source: Two for the Show Media

Greg Diamond Group: Greg Diamond - Guitar Javier Vercher - Saxophone Mike Eckroth - Piano Edward Perez - Drums Henry Cole - Drums “A Very Gifted Guitarist and Composer"- Bruce Lundvall “Blue Note Records" “...consistently assertive, delicate, experimental, and intelligent..." -Chip Boaz -Latin Jazz Corner The Iridium 1650 Broadway @ 51st Street New York, NY 10019 March 27th, 2010 Midnight Set Admission - $20 About Greg Diamond: The ...

"...a rising star in the New York jazz scene..." Edward Blanco – allaboutjazz.com “...look for great things down the road from this pioneering world- jazz maestro...” Jan P. Dennis –audiophileaudition.com “Diamond shows, once again, that he is a composer of great maturity and genius” Raul Da Gama –Latin Jazz Network "...As he finds his individualism and personal voice, expect some grand music from this promising performer..." Michael G. Nastos –Rovi “...Here’s a guitarist that you’ve gotta hear...” George W

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Primary Instrument

Guitar, electric

Location

Miami

Credentials/Background

DMA Jazz Instrumental Performance

Clinic/Workshop Information

Active as a clinician since 2005

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Beata

Chasm Records
2023

buy

Calera Solo Sessions

Self Produced
2022

buy

Musings & Origins

Chasm Records
2019

buy

Avenida Graham

Zoho Music
2017

buy

Conduit

Dot Time Records
2012

buy

Dancando Com Ale

Chasm Records
2009

buy

Videos

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