jon diaz

Guitarist/Composer Jon Diaz first made a name for himself in music as an original member of Robert Fripp's "League of Crafty Guitarists". With his newest music, "Circling From Above", Jon takes a pot luck of sounds from around the globe. All the compositions are finely done. The basic ensemble is Jon Diaz (Acoustic Guitar - Steel String, Nylon and Prepared), Mazz Swift (Violin), Mathias Kunzli (Percussion) and Pietro Russino (Guitar). Other guest musicians appear of various tracks adding a variety of flavors. On "Griot", the addition on of Steve Gorn on the bansuri adds a distinctly haunting mood. "King Arthur" is a steel-string guitar duet between Jon and Pierto which has a majestic quality and a galloping rhythm, putting a stridden king in mind. "The Scroll" minor-key gives the mysteriousness one might imagine with the title.

Jon's music emphasizes the craft of composing rather than dazzling guitar styles or bombastic jams all in the name of expression. His music showcases rhythmic textures from the combination of hand percussion and the acoustic guitar (especially the prepared). The various guitar, bansuri and violin all take their turns providing the strong melodies throughout the songs.

- Cameron Blades - - World Rhythm Webzine

Circling From Above
Jon Diaz

Here is a fascinating, eclectic mix of pieces drawing upon modalities from different cultures and countries. Composer and guitarist Jon Diaz plays with great skill, and creates an album which moves from classical to rock to jazz to latin to middle-eastern to Indian, and on. Joined at times by various strings, percussion, wailing vocals, and world instruments, Circling From Above has a striking inventiveness and appeal about it.

- Mark Maxwell Abushady www.creationsmagazine.com Aug 2008 - Creations Magazine