STEPHANE DIAMANTAKIOU

Stéphane Diamantakiou is a double bassist and composer from Marseille, France, now based in Montréal. Initially drawn to the electric bass, he soon discovered a singular space for expression through creation and sonic exploration — a constant search for balance between abstraction and groove.

Trained at the Conservatory, he developed an open approach to the double bass, bridging classical and jazz traditions. After his studies, he toured across France and Europe, performing with artists such as Gong, the Art Ensemble of Chicago, and Cécile McLorin Salvant. His meeting with Barre Phillips proved formative, deepening his commitment to improvised music.

Since moving to Montréal in 2011, Diamantakiou has become an active voice on the local scene, collaborating with Ayelet Rose Gottlieb (John Zorn a cappella quartet), Jay Clayton, Jessica Moss, Ensemble SuperMusique, Les Arrivants, and performing with L’Oumigmag, the Eyevin Trio, and the Nonet. A meeting with Hansford Rowe (Gong, Allan Holdsworth, La Monte Young) opened new directions in his work, notably through the concepts of Just Intonation.

In 2021, he created Le Double, a nine-piece project born from a writing residency at the Centre Expérimentation Musicale in Chicoutimi. The work premiered at the Festival de Jazz du Saguenay and La Sala Rossa in Montréal, followed by the release of the self-titled debut album at the Festival International de Musiques Actuelles de Victoriaville in 2024.

Since late 2024, Stéphane Diamantakiou has been an official member of Black Ox Orkestar and is currently developing Thenatis, a new quintet project.