Home » Jazz Musicians » Diego Barber

Diego Barber

Diego Barber was born in Lanzarote. There was already some musical precedent in his family; his great uncle was a pianist by profession and his father, in his youth, played the bass in a band called "Peppermint." Very early on in his home, his mother promoted listening to classical music. When he turned ten years old he was given as a gift his first electric guitar and he decided firmly to study that instrument. At that time, his musical preferences started to include jazz, as well as some contemporary guitarists.

It can be said that since that period the debate had already begun within himself between these two musical styles. Maybe this is a dilemma that remained with him throughout his entire trajectory, until he came to the conclusion that maybe, both of them are part of his musical path. In his beginnings he attended the Conservatory of Lanzarote, taking music classes from Miguel Angel Calzadilla and he also received private lessons by attending a music school where Tonin Corujo was his professor. Already at that time he began to seriously consider the idea of relocating away from the island, but due to his young age, this was a decision he had to make with the support of his family.

After thinking much about it and accepting the challenge that leaving home entails, he moved to Madrid and enrolled in the Conservatory of Arturo Soria. Possibly in that period, the most important and providential event that occurred was getting to know Jose Ramon Garcia, who with his harmony, analytical and composition classes, helped Diego to develop as a musician. Following this period, he enrolled in the Conservatory Superior of Music of Salamanca where he completed his degree in Classical Guitar. While he studied in Salamanca, there are two very important events: instructors Costas Cotsiolis and Ricardo Gallen accept him as their student. The first one taught him in Athens for a year; the second, wherever in the world they happened to coincide.

He attended graduate school in Mozarteum University in Salzburg, under the tutelage of master Marco Tamayo. During this time he wins first prize in the Classical Guitar International Contest, the edition dedicated to Leo Brouwer, as well as first prize in the contest organized by the Miami Classical Guitar Society in the year 2004, and he offers concerts in different cities in Greece, Spain, Germany, etc. As part of his classical music formation he receives masterful classes from musicians like David Russell, Joaquin Clerk, Zoran Dukic, Eliot Fisk and Pavel Steidi among others.

Read more

Tags

8
Album Review

Diego Barber: One Minute Later

Read "One Minute Later" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Diego Barber's One Minute Later is something of a dance between certainty and dubiety, grounded in the guitarist-composer's convictions that the truth behind an improviser's feelings and musical fate relate directly to that which Federico García Lorca described in Poeta en Nueva York as a minute of contrition that comes with--or follows-- complete liberation. It's a concept that cuts to the core of Barber's being and the emotional state connected to many if not most of those who operate without ...

185
Album Review

Diego Barber: The Choice

Read "The Choice" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


The precociously talented Diego Barber is known for the grandeur and majesty of his playing. The fabulous report of the guitarist's tone, his impressive dynamics and exquisiteness of expression are deeply rooted in extraordinary technique. Moreover, Barber is able to make extremely complex harmonic leaps, as well as twist the simplest of melodies into lines uniquely entwined with timbral beauty, ensconced in a dazzling palette of shades. His magnificent abilities were on display on Calima (Sunnyside, 2009), where he appeared ...

339
Album Review

Diego Barber: Calima

Read "Calima" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


Very few contemporary musicians imbue Impressionism in the truly classical sense of the term. And of those who do qualify, fewer still play the guitar. Ralph Towner does come to mind and his is a living legacy and tribute to this enduring movement. Egberto Gismonti--especially with his masterpiece Musica de Sobrevivencia (ECM, 1993)--is probably the epitome of all that is memorable about Impressionism in music. Bruce Dunlap also hit the spot with About Home (Chesky Records, 1990), which used tonal ...

451
Album Review

Diego Barber: Calima

Read "Calima" reviewed by Mark F. Turner


Calima conveys the idea of observing a breathtaking peninsula. Its impressions of expanse, tranquility and scenery are musically presented by Diego Barber, a gifted classically trained jazz guitarist who draws inspiration from both Bach and Miles Davis, but whose music contains visions that are uniquely his own. Barber's exquisite playing has the refinement of the classical master John Williams as well as hints of jazz icons Pat Metheny and Al Di Meola. Born on the Canary Islands, ...

Read more articles

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

One Minute Later

Sunnyside Records
2017

buy

411

Ultrax Records
2013

buy

The Choice

Sunnyside Records
2011

buy

Calima

Sunnyside Records
2009

buy

Videos

Similar

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.