Alirio Díaz is considered to be one of the greatest guitarist in the history of the instrument.
He was born in 1923 in the Candelaria near Carora in Venezuela. Even as a small child he showed an outstanding talent for the cuatro and the classical guitar which he taught himself. In 1942 he moved to Trujillo where he studied musical theory. He also learned the saxophone and the clarinet. In 1945 he decided to concentrate on the study of the guitar with Raúl Borges. He also followed classes in harmony with Vincente Emilio Sojo. He continued his guitar studies in Madrid at the Conservatorio Real with Regino Sainz de la Maza and in Siena, Italy, with Andrés Segovia at the Academia Chighiana. Alirio Díaz then began a career as a soloist performing throughout the world with the finest orchestras and recording the major part of the guitar repertoire, including many pieces from his native country. He settled in Rome in 1964, but now shares his time between Venezuela and Europe where he gives master classes and works on his guitar arrangements and publications. He has received numerous awards and honours, he is always welcomed with enthusiasm on his return to Venezuela. Alirio Díaz is the author of two autobiographical books and is a co-founder of Caroni Music, a company whose aim is to promote the splendid and varied musical traditions of his country.
Web: http://www.caronimusic.com/