Jacomo Bairos
Described in the press as “thrilling,” “inspirational,” and “world-class,” Portuguese-American conductor, producer and podcaster Jacomo Bairos challenges the preconceptions of orchestral repertoire by fusing musical genres, collaborating with a wide array of compelling and diverse artists, and integrating the modern orchestra into the worldwide community in innovative and powerful new ways. Defined by riveting performances, artistic excellence, a collaborative spirit, and education initiatives infused with mindfulness and wellness practices, Bairos has reframed the role an artistic leader can hold for its organization and the community it serves.
Bairos is the Artistic Director, Conductor, and Co-Founder along with composer Sam Hyken, for Nu Deco Ensemble, Miami’s 21st century, chamber orchestra. Since its inception in 2015, Nu Deco Ensemble has exploded onto Miami’s eclectic musical scene, captivating audiences, holistically engaging with its community, and fusing innovative, genre-bending orchestral performances and collaborations with the highest levels of musical artistry.
In the summer of 2023, Nu Deco Ensemble celebrated their major label debut with the release of a new EP titled “Duende” with Sony Music Masterworks. Their 8th album release, “Duende” features soaring orchestral versions of some of today’s most exciting artists from Sam Smith to Radiohead, the album also includes new, original music written by members of Nu Deco. With releases garnering over 10 million streams on all digital streaming platforms including Spotify and Apple Music as well as over 5.5 million views on Youtube, Nu Deco celebrates living composers, reimagines all genres of music, and collaborates with a wide range of diverse musical guests, composers, choreographers, dancers, and mixed media artists.
In the 2023-24 season, Bairos embarks on touring and multiple recording projects with Metropole Orkest, culminating in a six-city European tour in Spring 2024. Other guest conducting season highlights include performances with the Atlanta, Baltimore, and Hartford Symphonies, the Chicago Philharmonic, National Philharmonic Warsaw, the Chattanooga Symphony & Opera, and the Greensboro Symphony. As one of the most dynamic conductors of his generation, Bairos annually works with and maintains relationships with some of the world’s greatest orchestras and institutions. Other recent engagements include the San Francisco, St. Louis, Houston and Singapore Symphonies, as well as the Boston Pops and Cincinnati Pops, among others.
Bairos collaborates with and commissions original works for some of today’s most inspiring, prolific and Grammy award-winning artists and soloists. Recent collaborators include J’Nai Bridges, Anthony McGill, Aaron Diehl, Conrad Tao, Jeremy Denk and Jennifer Koh, as well contemporary and cross-over artists such as Jon Batiste, Angelique Kidjo, Wyclef Jean, Robert Glasper, Derek Hodge, Jacob Collier, Kishi Bashi, Larkin Poe, Monsieur Periné, Cory Henry, X Ambassadors, Ben Folds and numerous others.
From 2013 – 2021, Bairos was the Music Director for the Amarillo Symphony. Presiding over unprecedented artistic and fiscal growth and consistently sold-out performances, Bairos enacted many new community initiatives and programs. In Bairos’ eight-year tenure, he instituted the first ever composers-in-residence with Chris Rogerson, commissioned dozens of composers and artists, established the WTAMU young composers initiated that workshopped and performed the music of university students, established education programs such as Class Act and Symphony Kids, and created the highly successful Happy Holiday Pops series.
A graduate of The Juilliard School in music performance and the Peabody Institute for orchestral conducting, Bairos has performed, recorded, and toured the world with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, and Singapore Symphony (Principal Tuba 2004 – 2007).
Bairos is both a Chopra-certified meditation instructor and an RYT 200 Yoga Alliance teacher. He guides group meditations, mindfulness practices, yoga, and wellness workshops online and is lead wellness director for the youth ensemble members of Nu Deco NXT. Bairos divides his time between his homes in Miami Beach, Florida and Lisbon, Portugal.