STEPHANE DIAMANTAKIOU

Bassist and composer originally from Marseille, Stéphane Diamantakiou has been based in Montréal since 2011. His practice explores singular territory, at the intersection of free improvisation, contemporary music creation and composition.

He developed early on an open approach to the double bass, moving without hierarchy between classical, jazz and contemporary repertoires. His years in Europe led him to share the stage with Gong, the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Cécile McLorin Salvant, while an encounter with Barre Phillips firmly rooted him in free improvisation. His work with Hansford Rowe introduced him to the principles of Just Intonation, opening new compositional perspectives.

In Montreal, he is actively engaged in the contemporary creation scene, collaborating with Erika Angell and Collectif9, Jay Clayton, Jessica Moss, Ensemble SuperMusique and Black Ox Orkestar. He co-leads Dream Keepers alongside Ayelet Rose Gottlieb — a project awarded the Prix Opus 2026 for Album of the Year in the world music category. La Scena Musicale counts him among "our finest double bassists" (December 2025).

In 2021, he founded Le Double, a project for nine musicians born from a residency at the Centre d'Expérimentation Musicale de Chicoutimi, exploring the interplay between sampling, improvisation and collective composition. The first album was presented at the Festival International des Musiques Actuelles de Victoriaville in 2024 ; the second programme is currently in preparation for spring 2027. He is also developing Thenatis, a new creation for acoustic quintet.