The sounds of merengue will be taking the stage in Spirit Square when Joaquin Diaz plays on July 23 at 7 p.m.
Diaz is known for his light-fingered accordion playing and his infectious vocals which are drenched in Latin soul.
His repertoire is a mixture of traditional and original tunes characterized by exhilarating rhythms.
Diaz started his musical career on the streets of Santo Domingo when he was nine years old.
At the age of 12, this Dominican king of accordion was playing in the most prestigious Regencies of the capital.
Still in his teens he performed at the Pan-American Games in Puerto Rico accompanying the Dominican Republic’s Ballets Folkloricos.
In 1990 Joaquin brought Dominican magic and his accordion wizardry with him to Canada. Now residing in Montreal, he and his extremely talented musicians have thrilled Latino and non-Latino fans alike, throughout North America, and Europe.
Diaz’s musicians sustain his own sense of rhythm, with devilish percussions (congas, tambora, guira, bongos, bass drum) and electric bass, and provide the energy of their back-vocals to the invigorating bachatas.
Diaz has travelled the world as an genuine ambassador of merengue music.
Playing in between sets on the evening will be Suzie Raudaschl.
