Simón Narciso Díaz Márquez (born August 8, 1928) is a Venezuela n singer and Grammy Award winning composer of Music of Venezuela|Venezuelan music .
Career
Díaz has endeavored to recover the folklore and musical traditions of the plain|llanos , the Venezuelan plains. This style of music has since been performed by artists such as Argentina's Mercedes Sosa , Brazil's Caetano Veloso , Spain's Joan Manuel Serrat , Peru's Susana Baca , Puerto Rico's Danny Rivera , and Venezuelans Franco De Vita , Soledad Bravo and José Luis Rodríguez (singer)|José Luis Rodríguez , among others.cite web|url= http://www.simondiaz.com/english.html |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-23 |last=Diaz |first=Simón cite web|url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113083/soundtrack|title=Soundtracks for La flor de mi secreto (1995)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2009-10-23 Many of Diaz's works have been adapted by symphonies and choral ensembles throughout Venezuela, as well as being incorporated into the orchestral and choral arrangements of conductors and composers of academic music.cite news | first=Carl | last=Graci | coauthors= Lindsay, Matt |authorlink= | title=GWU Press Release | date=2005-09-12 | publisher=GWU Division of External Relations | url = http://www.gwu.edu/~media/pressrelease.cfm? event_id=5720 | work =George Washington University | pages = | accessdate = 2009-10-28 | language =
Artists from various other disciplines have utilized Díaz's work. For example, German choreographer Pina Bausch included some of Díaz’s songs in her work Nur Du . Also, the film director Pedro Almodóvar included Díaz's song "Tonada de Luna Llena" as part of the soundtrack for his film The Flower of My Secret , sung by the Brazilian artist Caetano Veloso.
Díaz has also performed in theater, motion pictures and television. In the 1960s he became a comedian in Venezuela. He had the leading role in three plays, and in films like El Reportero cite web|url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060892/|title=El reportero (1968)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2009-10-23 and Isla de sal ;cite web|url= http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0186245/|title=Isla de sal (1964)|publisher=Internet Movie Database|accessdate=2009-10-23 has produced and hosted 12 different TV shows, all of them devised to promote Venezuelan music. One of these shows, Contesta por Tío Simón , was devoted to teaching popular culture to children. This children's show was on the air for 10 years, during which time Díaz's viewers began calling him "Uncle Simón".cite web|url= http://www.gkcaracas.um.dk/da/menu/Eksportraadgivning/Markedsmuligheder/SidsteNyt/HonoraryLatinGrammyAwardForSimonDiaz.htm |title=Honorary Latin Grammy Award for Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-24 |publisher=Udenrigsministeriet Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBotDiaz had a daily radio show for twenty-five years which focused on folklore and Venezuelan music. He has recorded over 70 recordscite web|url= http://www.abc.net.au/rn/dailyplanet/stories/2006/1594824.htm |title=Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=The Daily Planet |publisher=The Australian Broadcasting Corporation and CDs and has made innumerable performances throughout his career.cite web|url= http://www.sincopa.com/traditional/artists2/simon_diaz.htm |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=The Guide to Venezuelan Music |publisher=Sincopa ''Lists details on 56 of Diaz's albums
Díaz is the author of " Caballo Viejo ", which was recorded by the Gipsy Kings as the Hit single|hit song " Bamboleo ". His compositions have been performed by artists such as Plácido Domingo ,Ray Conniff , Caballo Viejo recorded by Conniff in his album, Fantástico! 1983 Brazilian release CBS-138578 Julio Iglesias ,cite web|url= http://www.cduniverse.com/search/xx/music/pid/6682012/a/Latinamente.htm |title=Julio Iglesias Latinamente - Bamboleo |accessdate=2009-10-27 |year=1989 |publisher=Sony Bmg/Columbia Celia Cruz , Rubén Blades ,Gilberto Santa Rosa , Gipsy Kings, Ivan Lins ,cite web|url=Allmusic|class=artist|id=p3332|pure_url=yes |title=Ivan Lins - Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |publisher=AllMusic.com Joyce Moreno (musician)|Joyce ,cite web|url= http://www.sincopa.com/traditional/cdinfo2/simondiaz_graciasimon.htm |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |year=2002 |work=Gracias Simón |publisher=Latin World '' Joyce Moreno (musician)|Joyce . Ivan Lins , Cheo Feliciano Cheo Feliciano ,cite web|url= http://www.passiondiscs.co.uk/e_pages/salsa_e/cd00111.htm |title=Simn Diaz - Gracias |accessdate=2009-10-27 |last=Steward |first=Sue |work=World Music journalist |publisher=Passion Music Joyce Moreno (musician)|Joyce , Gilberto Santa Rosa , Cheo Feliciano , Luis Enrique , Danny Rivera , Ivan Lins , Joan Manuel Serrat Juan Gabriel , María Dolores Pradera ,cite web|url= http://www.allcollection.net/~x3725060 |title=María Dolores Pradera / Habaneras de Cadiz / El becerrito |accessdate=2009-10-27 |publisher=1986 SERDISCO Pradera performs El becerrito , written by Simon Diaz Martirio ,cite news | first= | last= | coauthors= |authorlink= | title= | date=2009-10-06 | publisher= | url = | work =CUBARTE, The Portal of Cuban Culture | pages = | accessdate = 2009-10-27 | language = http://google.com/search? q=cache:xZtwkz7G8fMJ:www.cubarte-english.cult.cu/global/loader.php%3Fcat%3Dactualidad%26cont%3Dshowitem.php%26id%3D10741%26tabla%3Darticulo%26seccion%3DNews%26tipo%3D+%22Martirio%22+%22simon+diaz%22& cd=4& hl=en& ct=clnk& gl=us& lr=lang_en archive link Tania Libertad ,cite web|url= http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000039WO |title=Amar Amando |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=Tania Libertad |publisher=T.H. Rodven Libertad performs Caballo Viejo on her album Amar Amando Ry Cooder cite web|url= http://www.globalrhythm.net/WorldMusicCDReviews/GreaterLatinAmerica/SIMONDIAZ.cfm |title=Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |work=Global Rhythm |publisher=globalrhythm.net Celia Cruz , Plácido Domingo , Ry Cooder and the Gipsy Kings and Devendra Banhartcite web|url= http://www.last.fm/music/Sim%C3%B3n+D%C3%ADaz |title=Simón Díaz |accessdate=2009-10-27 |publisher=Last.fm
The Latin American TV channel A& E Network|A& E MUNDO produced a documentary dedicated to Díaz under its “Biography” program that honors Diaz's many contributions to Venezuelan culture, the program began airing in September 2004.cite web|url= http://worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com/view/page.basic/artist/content.artist/simon_diaz/en_US |title=Simon Diaz |accessdate=2009-10-24 |work=National Geographic Music |publisher=NationalGeographic.com ''"His most celebrated songs include "Caballo Viejo", which became a smash hit in a crossover genre known as charanga vallenata, and "Bamboleo", recorded by the Gipsy Kings and Celia Cruz. His works have been performed and recorded by a who's whom of international music, from Plácido Domingo to Ivan Lins. Well into his 70s, Diaz maintains an active artistic life, and continues his performing and touring career with appearances throughout Latin America and the United States, including a slated performance in 2006 at Carnegie Hall."
This is a list of his work:
Serie
Title
Label
LP 6124
Parranda Criolla
Palacio
LP 6128
Lila + Hugo + Simón: Música de la Película "Isla de Sal"
Palacio
LP 6136
¡Ya Llegó Simón!
Palacio
LP 6146
De Parranda con Simón
Palacio
LP 6154
Criollo y Sabroso
Palacio
LP 6181
Caracha Negro
Palacio
LP 6194
Gaitas y Parrandas con Simón
Palacio
LP 6221
Simón En Salsa... En Gaita
Palacio
LP 6253
Gaita 69
Palacio
LP 6273
Artistas Venezolanos Solamente
Palacio
LP 6275
Gaita 70
Palacio
LP 6297
Gaita 71
Palacio
LPS 66299
Tonadas
Palacio
L.P.S. 109
Navidad Criolla con el Quinto Criollo
Palacio/Guarura
LPS 66333
La Gaita de las Cuñas: El Candidato Chévere ¡Vota por Él!
Palacio/H.B
LPS 66345
Las Gaitas de Simón: Enemigo Público N°1
Palacio/H.B
LPS 66363
Las Gaitas de Simón: Culpable?
Palacio/H.B
LPS 66384
Tonadas Vol.2
Palacio
LPS 66383
Las Gaitas de Simón: Cuñas, Locas, Borrachitos
Palacio/H.B
LPS 66406
Las Gaitas de Simón
Palacio/H.B
LPS 66407
Canciones Criollas Vol.3
Palacio
LPS 66430
Canciones y Tonadas Vol.4
Palacio
LPS 66479
Golpe y Pasaje: Caballo Viejo
Palacio
LPS 66483
Música Folklórica y Popular de Venezuela en Contrapunto
Palacio
LPS 66508
Tonadas Favoritas
Palacio
LPS 66591
Sus Grandes Éxitos
Palacio
LPS 2058
Amor Enguayabao
Palacio/Rodven
LPS 2067
Cuenta y Canta Vol.1
Palacio
LPS 2068
Cuenta y Canta Vol.2
Palacio
Awards and recognition
Simón Díaz was awarded the highest recognition conferred by the Government of Venezuela|Venezuelan state , "The Great Ribbon of the Liberator's Order". He was given Honorary degree|honorary doctorate degrees by two major Venezuelan universities, Universidad Nacional Experimental Simón Rodríguez|Simón Rodríguez University cite news|url= http://el-nacional.com/www/site/p_contenido.php? q=m/1/207/Yo%20reportero/Doctorado-Honoris-Causa-en-M%C3%BAsica-al-maestro-Sim%C3%B3n-D%C3%ADaz& id=92091|title=Doctorado Honoris Causa en Música al maestro Simón Díaz|last=Finol|first=David|date=2009-07-29|work= El Nacional (Venezuelan newspaper)|El Nacional |accessdate=2009-10-23 and Zulia’s Universidad Católica Cecilio Acosta.
On September 30, 2008, the Latin Grammy Award s announced that it would honor Díaz with a Lifetime Achievement Award, (El Premio del Consejo Directivo).cite web|url= http://www.latingrammy.com/en/press/14-artists-to-receive-the-2008-latin-recording-academy-lifetime-achievement-award |title=Artists to Receive the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award |accessdate=2009-10-23 |work=Latin Grammy |publisher=Latin Grammy.comDiaz was awarded the 2008 Latin Recording Academy Trustees Award, presented by Venezuelan Salsa music|salsa singer Oscar D'León .
es_icon http://el-cuatro.blogspot.com/2007/08/serie-autores-de-venezuela-simn-daz.html Simón Díaz Biography —Venezuelan cuatro blog
es_icon http://el-cuatro.blogspot.com/search? q=acordes+sim%C3%B3n+d%C3%ADaz Learn to play his songs — El cuatro venezolano blog
en_icon http://www.facebook.com/group.php? gid=38999680080& ref=mf Lets bring Simón Díaz to the 2009 Grammy—Facebook group
es_icon http://llanera.com/musica/? idc=37 Simón Díaz music
es_icon http://ramosflamerich.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/palabras-para-simon/ Palabras para Simón - Lo afirmativo venezolano
Persondata | NAME =Diaz, Simon | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION = | DATE OF BIRTH =1928-08-08 | PLACE OF BIRTH = | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Diaz, Simon Category:1928 births Category:Living people Category:People from Aragua Category:Venezuelan composers Category:Venezuelan folk musicians Category:Venezuelan folk singers Category:Venezuelan-cuatro players
