ZAPATANGO (Carlos Diaz)

C A R L O S D I A Z Guitarist and ComposerThe Argentine musician Carlos Diaz plays his compositionsbased upon Latin or Jazz standard. Actually this seems to bequite normal for a guitar player/ composer of his genre - if hedidn’t do it in his very authentic attitude, playing and composing more than well known tunes in his unpretentiousway.The reasons for his originality lay in his roots. Carlos Diazcomes from the southern tip of Patagonia which is - not onlyfor Europeans - the very end of the world, even for ArgentiniansPatagonia is really a world away from any cultural center of thecountry.Under these extreme conditions, Diaz gains his early experiencein music and having only minimun information he builds up hisown band performing in the outback around Fireland, later on inBuenos Aires. Next leaving his country for the first time hegoes to Brasil, grown up by then and having found his personalstyle. Only so he is able without losing his musical identity – tointegrate Brazilian influences in his individual stylistics as wellJazz, Tango and Fusion later on. Combining mostly differentstyles Diaz has developed his characteristic genuine language ofmusic, realized especially in his own delicat lyrical compositionsand in his powerful rhythmical pieces.So finally the disfavour for his solitude at home topped up by thelack of information and musical influence turned out to be afavour as it forced him successfully into a process of finding his very authentic way of composing and playing the guitar, givingwings to fantasy and creativity.Carlos Diaz- born in Rio Gallegos, Patagonia, Argentina- start to play the guitar as a child, learning by himself- later with his own group touring in the festivals and clubs of Fireland, Patagonia and Buenos Aires.- in the 80’s he become part of the musical movement called “Proyeccion Folklorica”combining the roots of Argentine Folk with Jazz and Contemporanian music, which is the background of musicians like Dino Saluzzi, Lito Vitale or Pedro Aznar.- performing with Mario Parmisano (actually pianist of Al Di Meola)- travel to Brazil to study and perform.- 1990 first trip to Europe for concerts in Spain with the Argentine pianist Mariano Diaz.- since 1991 living in Belgium and Germany- 1997/99 solist in the project of Dirk Brossé “The Birth of Music” an Ethno- Classical Symphony with the Orchestra L’Arco Musicale.- 1997 in Germany realisation of the first CD “Buen Ambo” with own compositions with the accompaniment of Henk Delaat, Frank Deruytter, Osvaldo Hernandez and Peter van Woensel. With this musicians perfomances in Belgium, Nederland and Germany Festival Asilah, Marocco and Talklang-world music festival.- 2000 Start new project “Zapatango”with his Quintet, Gwenael Micault, Piet Verbist, Tars Lootens and Bert van Laethem. Performing in La noche de la pasion, Gentse Feesten, Jazz Clubs and Cultural Centers in Belgium and Germany.- Performing with the Abdelli group in several world-music festivals in Europe, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, France, The Neatherlands and Belgium.- 2003 Participate with the realisation of the CD ABDELLI “Among Brother”produced for (Real World) Peter Gabriel´s Label.- 2003 Patagon Patagonia Project, together with Dirk van Esbroeck, Juan Masondo, Alfredo Marcucci, Daniela Rapan, Christel Borghlevens and Guido Desimpelaere, on tour in Belgium. 2004 Touring with the project Coast 2 Coast, together with Dirk van Esbroeck, Francesca Vanthielen, Wigbert van Lierde, Ibernice Macbean, N´Faly Kouyate, Alfredo Marcucci, Steve Willaert, Jan Marmenout and Boudewijn Groenhuijzen.I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4