Roman Diaz: A Living Repository of Afro-Cuban Culture
Clave Y Cuba is thrilled to spotlight Roman Diaz, a Cuban-born master percussionist and a true "living repository" of Afro-Cuban culture. Roman is a noted scholar of Cuban religious and folkloric music and a talented composer and performer of contemporary Afro-Cuban music and Jazz.
Roman’s impressive career includes performances and recordings with Cuban diva Mercedíta Valdes, Canadian Jane Bunnett, Juan Carlos Formell, Paquito D’Rivera, folkloric artist Orlando “Puntilla” Rios, and pianist Danílo Pérez. He has also contributed to the Afro-Cuban folkloric groups Yoruba Andabo, Raices Profundas, and Los Marqueses de Atares. His performances at Jazz at Lincoln Center, The Kennedy Center, and the Smithsonian Museum highlight his global influence.
As a member of the seminal rumba ensemble Yoruba Andabo, Roman helped shape the sound of contemporary rumba. This genre was recognized by UNESCO as a “World Heritage” in 2016, underscoring its importance as a cultural art form. Roman continues to innovate, integrating the two-headed Bata drum from religious music into modern jazz, and advancing the legacy of rumba.
Since moving to New York City 21 years ago, Roman has been a sought-after teacher and collaborator with top rumba and jazz artists. His contributions to the critically acclaimed documentaries "Calle 54" and "Dame La Mano" showcase his deep understanding and mastery of Afro-Cuban music.
Roman’s academic contributions include teaching at Havana’s Escuela Nacional de Instructores de Arte and guest lectures at prestigious institutions like Berklee College of Music, Harvard, and Yale. He has also shared his knowledge globally through master classes and lectures.
Roman Diaz is a true gold mine of cultural knowledge. His dedication to preserving and evolving Afro-Cuban traditions makes him an invaluable asset to the global music community.
Clave Y Cuba is honored to feature such a distinguished artist who continues to inspire and educate through his passion for Afro-Cuban music and culture.
