“Hey Joseph — I’ve been listening to ‘Not Your Typical New Yorker’ and I am completely blown away!!! Now your music is constantly in my head. I find myself singing a melody and wondering what is is … and then I remember it’s one of your tunes. I already knew what an amazing player — your compositions and arrangements are really outstanding. ‘Broken Heart’ brought tears to my eyes. I’m telling everyone who’ll listen to check YOU out.”
Mala Waldron, Jazz Vocalist, May, 2003

“‘Not Your Typical New Yorker’ is a must to buy. The sound quality and the musicianship is top notch.”
Nat Reeves, Renowned jazz bassist

“This debut CD, Not Your Typical New Yorker, by Joseph Diamond offers an interestingly new and refreshing perspective on latin jazz piano….A truly enjoyable listening experience. ¡Tremendo trabajo Joseph!”
Oscar Hernández, Latin jazz piano legend

Listen to a few samples…

Not Your Typical New Yorker
“This track really has the feel and pulse of New York City. As I walk around the city listening to the song, the energy of the city and the music go hand in hand.”

A Little Past Midnight
“I wrote this on New Year’s Eve. It is a bit melancholy, but not sad, a bit introspective I might add. It did not take very long to write, I think I finished it in two hours.”

Montoya
“Montoya is my Spanish nickname. Back in 1984 I lived and worked in Aruba. I played in an all Argentinian band and they named me Montoya.”

Florence
“This song is dedicated to the people of Florence, Alabama. Every year in August I go down to Alabama to play in the W.C. Handy Jazz Festival…the song captures the tranquility and peacefulness that I feel when I am there.”

 


 

Liner Notes

In 1995 the Grammys finally recognized the existence of Latin Jazz as a genre that just wasn’t going away. Thank goodness for that because on his debut album Not Your Typical New Yorker, Joseph Diamond demonstrates a talent worthy of the coveted prize. Wait’ll you hear the 11 formidable tracks Joseph has written for your pleasure.

One day out of the blue I received a voicemail from a man who said he was Joseph Diamond. In all honesty, I thought, “who is this guy?; another pianist trying to make it in an ocean already overflowing with starving musicians?” Let’s face it, as the saying goes: if I had a dollar for every cassette or CD I’ve gotten from musicians aspiring to be acclaimed, I’d be rich. But I listened to the message and out of sheer curiosity I returned his call because you never know. Shortly thereafter I got the demo. My radio show is over at 1 a.m. so getting home means hanging out in front of my computer until 3 or 4 in the morning. This particular morning I sat down to read my email and that’s when I threw Joseph Diamond’s music into the CD-ROM and boy, was I blown away. Can’t wait for you to hear it. It’s important for you to know that I had just spent the last 7 hours listening to music. Two hours of my commute in the car to and from home. Five of those hours at CD 101.9 doing my DJ thing. So I was pretty saturated by the time Joseph Diamond strutted his mighty stuff via my computer. I sat straight up in my chair as I heard his percussive piano grab me on track 1. Here he was Joseph Diamond, the man from Liberty, New York without an ounce of Latin blood in his veins playing the music I love with such verve.

But how could Joseph Diamond not have a true gem for the airwaves? He went out and got the best. Not only does he ring all your bells, he does it in the greatest company. Check this out: he’s got impeccable drummer Vince Cherico who has quickly become one of the most “in demand” drummers on the Latin Jazz scene. Vince currently performs with Grammy Nominee Ray Barretto and New World Spirit. He also performs on Ray Vega’s self titled CD on the Concord Jazz label. He’s recently toured with The Caribbean Jazz Project, which includes Paquito D’Rivera, Dave Samuels, and Andy Narell. He has also performed with Mongo Santamaria, Tito Puente, Carlos “Patato” Valdez, Chico O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Vince currently holds a teaching position at the Drummer’s Collective and is endorsed by Zildjian Cymbals, Latin Percussion, and Vic Firth Sticks so it’s no surprise that Joseph Diamond would tell Vince what he wanted and Vince would nail it. On top of that Vince recommended Leo Traversa for the bass work. Leo has worked with New York Voices and a host of other prolific artists so Leo was also able to take off with Joseph Diamond’s vision. When it came time to overdub the congas and bongoes Pocholo Segundo and Rudy Romero were the ones to fill the bill, and then to round out the group Joe brought in Emedín Rivera to play percussion. Emedín has played with just about everybody and he brought to the session tons of stuff along with his vivid imagination. Drew Francis shows his mastery on flute, sax and synths. Add Dean Bailin as engineer for the sessions and the mixes and Sharon Thorne who along with Drew Francis came up with the synth parts and what you get is a pristine culmination of a lifetime of work at what Joe Diamond loves the most, his music.

There’s no doubt that the talents of Joseph Diamond are dripping, oozing out from this introductory album. So for those of you who listen to Joseph’s music, your hearts will fill with the joy that only comes to the true Latin Jazz lover who recognizes quality. And for those of you who don’t take the time to drink in Joseph Diamond’s music, you don’t know what you’re missing but one thing’s for sure, if you do, Joseph Diamond will make a believer out of you. He’ll never let you go. These 11 tracks are his original compositions that sizzle, mesmerize and dazzle but most of all Joseph Diamond’s music is a must-have for your collection. It sure is in mine. And now ladies and gentlemen, join me in a round of applause for Joe Diamond and Not Your Typical New Yorker.        Maria von Dickersohn