Today we’d like to introduce you to Jose Diaz.
Hi Jose, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in Chicago, and when I started my music training in the 1970s, the arts and culture scene was incredible. Music was everywhere — in the neighborhoods, in the schools, and in the people. My teachers were active musicians who performed with artists like Earth, Wind & Fire, B.B. King, and Bobby “Blue” Bland, so from the very beginning, I was surrounded by mentors who lived what they taught. That energy shaped my understanding of what music could be — not just a subject in school, but a powerful, living force that could bring people together and open doors to opportunity.
When I later became a band director in Texas, I saw how limited access to arts education could hold students back — especially those from underserved communities. That frustration became the spark for founding the Diaz Music Institute (DMI). I wanted to recreate the kind of environment I grew up in — one where young people could develop real passion, professionalism, and pride in their craft while still in their teens.
At DMI, students don’t just learn music — they live it. Through our mentorship program, they perform and record with world-class artists. Our first major concert was with legendary Grammy Award–winning pianist and NEA Jazz Master Eddie Palmieri, and that set the tone for everything that followed. Since then, we’ve worked with dozens of top artists while giving our
students the chance to perform at a semi-professional level long before graduation.
The results have been amazing. Every one of our students has graduated from high school — a 100% rate — and many have gone on to study at universities like the University of Miami, Harvard, and the University of Texas. Some have even performed with Grammy-nominated and Grammy-winning artists or been recognized at the Stellar Awards and Dove Awards.
Looking back, I’m grateful that what started as a frustration turned into a movement — one that continues to empower young musicians to dream bigger, work harder, and use music as a tool for change.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road — but I think that’s what makes the journey worthwhile. Starting Diaz Music Institute came out of both passion and frustration. In the beginning, I had no roadmap for running a nonprofit. I just knew that students needed more opportunities than what the traditional school system could offer. So, I learned by doing — fundraising, grant writing, recruiting musicians, managing budgets — all while still teaching full-time.
There were moments when it felt overwhelming. Building trust in the community took time, and finding consistent funding to keep programs accessible was always a challenge. We started with whatever resources we had — borrowed instruments, donated space, and a lot of late nights. But the belief that these kids deserved something exceptional kept me going.
Another struggle was changing mindsets — convincing people that Latin jazz and multicultural music education are not “extras” but essential parts of American culture. Over time, as students started earning scholarships, performing nationally, and succeeding professionally, the results spoke for themselves.
Even today, running a nonprofit is a balancing act. There are always challenges — from sustaining funding to navigating the evolving needs of students. But every obstacle has strengthened our resolve. The struggles have shaped DMI into what it is now — a place where passion, perseverance, and community come together to change lives through music.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m the Founder and Artistic Director of Diaz Music Institute (DMI) and Music Director of the Houston Latin Jazz Orchestra. At my core, I’m an educator, performer, and producer who believes deeply in the power of music to transform lives and build community.
Through DMI, I’ve spent more than two decades helping students — many from underserved communities — develop the same kind of musical passion and discipline that shaped my own life growing up in Chicago. DMI is a multi-tiered mentorship program where students learn from educators, working professionals, world-class guest artists, and from each other. It’s an ecosystem that gives young musicians a clear pathway — from early exposure and ensemble participation to performing and recording at a semi-professional level while still in their teens.
Our programs are designed not only to train exceptional musicians but also to build confident, well-rounded individuals. What students learn through our program — teamwork, discipline, leadership, communication, and accountability — helps them succeed far beyond developing a career in music. Many of our alumni go on to become doctors, engineers, educators, and entrepreneurs, carrying with them the same values and work ethic they learned on stage.
DMI is best known for our award-winning student ensemble, Caliente, and our professional ensemble, the Houston Latin Jazz Orchestra. Both groups serve as bridges between education and professional artistry, specializing in Latin jazz and multicultural music. We blend authenticity and excellence, creating opportunities that connect students to their heritage while preparing them for real-world success.
Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to receive recognition for this work, including the Texas Bandmasters Association Meritorious Award, multiple DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards, and being featured by the National Endowment for the Arts in American Artscape Magazine. I was humbled to be named a GRAMMY Top 10 Finalist for the Music Educator Award, inducted into DownBeat Magazine’s Jazz Education Hall of Fame, honored with the Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award, and recognized by FOX 26 and Univision Television as a Hispanic Hero. I was also proud to receive the Country Music Association Foundation’s Music Teacher of Excellence Award — each of these honors reminding me that music and education can truly change lives.
I’m also especially proud of a recent creative project close to my heart — producing a children’s music album with my 12-year-old son, Joey Music. His debut album, Say It Out Loud, It’s My Birthday!, entered the GRAMMY® conversation and earned a Global Music Award, continuing our family’s mission of inspiring and educating through music across generations.
Ultimately, what drives me is seeing that moment when a young person realizes their potential — that their talent, culture, and voice matter. That spark is what keeps me passionate about this work every single day.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
If I had to name one quality that’s been most important to my success, it would be perseverance — fueled by purpose. When I started Diaz Music Institute, I didn’t have a roadmap, a budget, or a team of consultants. What I did have was a vision — to give young people the same life-changing opportunities that music gave me growing up in Chicago.
In those early days, there were moments when I questioned everything. I was teaching full-time, directing bands, and still trying to build this dream after hours — finding rehearsal spaces, borrowing instruments, and applying for grants that I wasn’t sure would come through. There were nights when I’d leave school exhausted, sit in my car, and just remind myself why I started: because these kids deserved more. That reminder always gave me enough strength to take the next step.
What I’ve learned is that perseverance isn’t about never struggling — it’s about holding on to your “why” when things get difficult. It’s about believing in something bigger than yourself and refusing to let temporary obstacles define your outcome.
The other quality that’s guided me is authenticity. From day one, I wanted DMI to reflect who I am — my roots, my culture, my love for jazz and Latin music, and my belief that every student has value. When you lead with authenticity, people feel it. Students feel it. The community feels it. It’s what turns an idea into a movement.
At the end of the day, I’m not driven by awards or recognition — I’m driven by those moments when I see a student step on stage, nervous at first, and then light up with confidence and pride. That spark — that transformation — is what keeps me going. It’s why I’ve never stopped believing in the power of music to change lives.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://diazmusicinstitute.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/diazmusicinstitute/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoseAntonioDiazMusic
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-diaz-3a4873136/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@diazmusicinstitute
Image Credits
All Images except for Eddie Palmieri were taken by Violeta Alvarez
