Michael Diamond was born and raised in Philadelphia, and later lived in New York, Boston, Denver, and Boulder, Colorado, before settling in Northern California in 1987. His musical career began early in life while taking guitar lessons with reknown guitarist George Britton. He later picked up the guitar again while in college in the late 60's where he studied psychology, continuing on to recieve a Master's degree. He was deeply influenced by the great guitarists of the era such as Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, and others, and has played in many rock bands over the years.
Although guitar has been his main instrument, he has become fully immersed in the world of synthesizers and electronics, and often combines the two by playing the guitar-synthesizer. In addition to being a musician, he is also a music producer and owns a recording studio where he lives in Marin County, California, just 10 miles from the Golden Gate Bridge. While still maintaining a love for rock, blues, jazz, etc. his musical focus has shifted more towards ambient New Age music. Years of study in metaphysics and holistic health have given him an appreciation of the healing effects of music and sound. He is currently recording and performing with one of the pioneers in this field, Steven Halpern. The music takes on another dimension in live multi-media performances with award-winning video artist Ken Jenkins, who is well-known for his special effects work with Shirley MacLaine.
In addition to playing music, Michael Diamond has had a 20 year career as a music journalist and monthly columnist for a variety of nationally-published New Age magazines. In that time he has written numerous articles and reviews of artists as diverse as George Harrison, Enya, Carlos Nakai, and Kitaro, to name but a few, as well as conducting interviews with well-known musicians such as sitarist Ravi Shankar, Jon Anderson (of the rock group "Yes"), and many others.
In 1996 he produced his first album, "Flights Of Fantasy", with Deborah Martin and Preston Scott, which was recorded at a top Northern California studio with a team of gold and platinum-producing engineers. This album was recently digitally remastered and re-released with all new graphic design. He is currently working on a variety of recording projects including albums and soundtracks for video and DVD, as well as specializing in pre-production consultation. His latest release is a CD entitled "Atlantis Rising", with special guest Steven Halpern. This album showcases Michael's talents, not only as a musician and producer but as a sound designer, featuring intricate layers of magical synthesizer textures and sonic atmospheres.
ACCOLADES
In addition to performing multi-media light and sound concerts nationally, Michael has twice played in musical groups that have opened the show for Ram Dass.
He has served as a judge for the Independent Music Awards.
Two music videos he has co-produced, have aired extensively on cable television, and his music has appeared on the soundracks of "Illumination 2", a DVD by Ken Jenkins, and "Sacred Visionary Mandala Art" a video/ DVD from the Global Peace Foundation.
Michael has completed coursework in studio recording techinque at the music department of Sacramento City College. In addition he has presented numerous seminars in the fields of music and holistic health at places such as the University of Colorado, UC Davis, Penn, and Rosemont College, where he co-led a music workshop with Laaraji, who is well-known for his recording with Brian Eno.
