Singer’s talents recognised
Music has always been within Eduardo Diaz, who has enjoyed performing for 30-odd years.
It was a thrilling day for him recently, when he won an award at the New Zealand Latin Awards held in Christchurch.
Diaz was named New Zealand’s Best Latin American Singer 2020.
The annual awards celebrate and showcase Latin music, dance, and culinary arts.
“I’m very stoked to have won this award. I never thought of myself as the best Latin singer, but I have done a lot to contribute to sharing the Latin American culture.
“I’m very pleased the awards give a platform for chefs, musicians and artists alike to showcase their talent,” he said.
Diaz thanked everyone who voted for him.
The award-winning artist and his band have achieved a gold and platinum album with the EMI Record label.
In February this year, he was in the line-up for the Ta¯tau Ta¯tau Concert and a few years back he performed for the New Year’s event at the Soundshell.
He also runs two Mexican restaurants in Rotorua.
As the award winner, he will perform at next year’s New
Zealand Latin Awards.
“I first made music when I was very young back in Chile, I suppose because of the nature of the culture.
“It’s very musical and there’s always a guitar at parties, you sing along and you grow up around music.
“My brother and myself, we both loved music from a very early age. Music is within you, in your DNA.”
Diaz said he likes, when performing, the fact he is able to showcase his talent and put a smile on people’s faces.
“Music is a universal language.” There were not many Latinos in New Zealand about 45 years ago, but, slowly, more have started to arrive here.
“The Latin American community has now grown to the point where we can have our own New Zealand Latin Awards.
“It’s a community that makes a great, loud noise with music, dance and food.
“We are known to be very friendly and noisy.
“It’s in our hearts to express ourselves and it’s great to put a little bit of your grain of salt in this recipe that’s a family of five million.
“It’s an honour to be able to show and share our culture with our New Zealand family.”
Diaz is looking, next year, to try to organise a couple big shows, and maybe a small tour.
He will also be performing at the Latin American Fiesta which has been rescheduled for January 14.