Joel Diamond

Based in New York City, Joel Diamond's varied career has been noteworthy for an extraordinary array of eclectic choices and influences.  He has enjoyed diverse experiences as a composer, arranger, producer and performer of both 'serious' and contemporary music.  He is adept with Eastern as well as an American repertoire.  His choices are avant garde, both as performer and composer.  The fusion of traditional orchestral and contemporary electronica create a striking film-music style. 

Selected by Variety as one of 20 'Creatives to Watch' Diamond created the score for the immensely powerful film The Believer (written and directed by Henry Bean).  Winner of the Feature Film Competition for Drama at Sundance 2001, a rare honor, the film was singled out by Rolling Stone's Peter Travers as was "Joel Diamond's haunting score."  Kirk Honeycutt's review in The Hollywood Reporter noted "the craftsmanship is first-rate-especially a moody and edgy score by Joel Diamond." 

Joel recently completed the score for the documentary "Dissident: Oswaldo Paya and the Varela Project" which premiered at this year’s Tribecca Film Festival, “The Juction” directed by Ilan Ziv which won first prize at the Haifa Film festival, “Stalin’s Wife” directed by Slava Tsukerman (“Liquid Sky”), and “Der Kish” a short spoken in Yiddish directed by Paul Fischer at the Palm Springs Film Festival. 

Amongst a wide selection of Diamond's other work, his film scores include James Bruces' The Suicide Club (Angelika Films), Heart of the Garden (PBS), Anima (Tangent Films) and The Dogwalker (Filmmakers Alliance). 

An experienced studio producer and musician, Diamond has produced the scores for Todd Solonz's Welcome to the Dollhouse (Sony Pictures and Polygram Records) and David Mamet's Oleanna (Hallmark).  As well, Diamond has performed extensively as a studio and touring musician with a wide range of performers including Mick Taylor, Graham Parker, Jane Olivor and many others. 

In his role as New Music Composer, Diamond has composed many chamber pieces which have been performed by The Apple Brass Quintet and Orchesta Nova.  His Grammy nominated string quartet 'Danza Caprichosa' was recorded by Orquesta Nova on Chesky Records. 

An early advocate of Cuban music, Mr. Diamond has had four pieces commissioned by The Cuban National Ballet. In May of 2003, he performed his commissioned work "Seasons" for Compania de la Danza Narciso Medina, which premiered at The Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process Series.  Several of his works have been used by ballet and theater companies.  Leonard & Minky, his urban ballet narrated by Mayor Ed Koch and choreographed by John Selya (TwylaTharp, ABT) was presented at the Dance Theater Workshop in January of 2000.  His ballet Diad, choreographed by Suki John, was presented at the 92nd Street Y that same year. 

Mr. Diamond's other commissions include writing the scores for five Theater for the New City productions: Stone (written by Philip Courtney and directed by Eduardo Machado), Benny's Barber Shop (written and directed by Mark Marcante), Kiss the Cheek of the Moon (written by Yolanda Rodriguez), Oedepus (an adaptation by Jason Duchin) and his own The Baby Boomer.  As a Staff Producer at Chesky Records for five years Diamond produced albums for an eclectic selection of artists including Rebecca Pigeon, Livingston Taylor and Sarah K. 

Mr. Diamond just completed the Film "Bringing Home Tibet" directed by Tenzin Tsetan which just won the Prix du Jury de Jeunes Européens) at the 27th edition of FIPA - International Festival of Audiovisual Programs (The International Festival of Audiovisual Programmes) in Biarritz, France. 

Joel also has worked extensively with Ellen Schwartz, songwriter where he has produced and arranged numerous Children's Albums.  "Welcome to McDonaldland", "A Merry McBirthday" and "ET I Love you" among others.  With Ellen and Gail Wynters, he has also composed numerous songs.