We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Arsenio Diaz a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Arsenio, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
One of the most meaningful projects I have worked on is the creation and recording of the single “La Rumba de Sandokan” (Sandokan’s Rumba).
This is a song in which you can experience the sound of one of the most iconic musical instruments from India, the Sitar, fusioned with melodies and rhythmic patterns from the Afro-Cuban repertoire. It was recorded using ethnic instruments from different parts of the world like the Sitar, the African Udu, a flute, and several percussion instruments from Latin America. This fusion is successfully achieved thanks to the respectful approach to these genres, and the collaboration of the exceptional musicians who accompanied me on this adventure like Lenia Diaz, Eduardo Rodriguez, Omar Hernandez, Manuel Clua, Michael Gil, and Gonzalo Teran.
From the moment the song begins, the listener is swept up in a whirlwind of rhythmic drums, energetic vocals, and lively instrumentation that instantly captures the essence of traditional Cuban music. The lyrics, sung in Spanish, tells the story of how Sandokan, the character of the Italian writer Emilio Salgari, abandons his status, his country and his comforts to embark on a journey to reach Miami in order to learn to dance rumba in this multicultural city. The song is dedicated to all people who arm themselves with courage, perseverance, and daring to face the obstacles that stand in the way of achieving their goals and dreams.
The idea of this project came from the need to add my sitar to the music of my childhood. It is known that the artist draws on his experiences. When you express yourself through a musical instrument, the melodies and phrases you heard from your cradle, the rhythms and cadences that bathed your youth, and the joys and sorrows that permeated your existence, come to light.
Since art is significant to society and has the ability to unite people across the spectrum of humanity, this project is intended to build bridges between cultures, and to inspire and unite people across the spectrum of humanity.
Arsenio, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I hold a degree in Classical Guitar, but the sound of the sitar always captivated me from the very first moment I listen to it in the Beatles’ music. After years of studying it, I started to find my own voice, and I began to work deeply on my passion for ethno-convergence and multiculturalism. Fusing the sonority of the Sitar with melodies and rhythmic patterns from the Afro-Cuban repertoire, I have intended to raise awareness about the need to preserve cultural heritage and traditions.
Being awarded for 3 consecutive years (2022, 2023, and 2024) with the Miami Individual Artists (MIA) grant program by the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, have helped me to use my knowledge and experience to create and perform music focused on my vision. This has also opened the door to collaborate with exceptional artists, and work with prestigious organizations.
My passion is my main driving force. It is like an architect who, in my case, builds bridges between musical cultures. Bridges interwoven with ancestral melodies and rhythms. At the end, like every architect, the triumph and satisfaction will be seeing how those bridges are used by others to intertwine and unify shores
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I strongly believing that art is significant to society and that it has the ability to unite people across the spectrum of humanity. I have always been passionate about the significance and important of the arts in our society. For that reason, my approach to music is thorough a lens of ethno-convergence and multiculturalism. the music I perform is intended to educate, to build bridges between cultures, and to inspire and unite people across the spectrum of humanity.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
I strongly believing that art is significant to society and that it has the ability to unite people across the spectrum of humanity. I have always been passionate about the significance and important of the arts in our society. For that reason, my approach to music is thorough a lens of ethno-convergence and multiculturalism. the music I perform is intended to educate, to build bridges between cultures, and to inspire and unite people across the spectrum of humanity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mysticalsitar.net/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mysticalsitar
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/arsediaz1
- Other: https://arseniodiaz.hearnow.com/la-rumba-de-sandokan#nt_musiclinks
Image Credits
Angel Segundo
Arturo Arocha
Rene Tapia