Daniel & The Colors

Daniel Criado is an award-winning Colombian-born drummer, composer, and music educator based in the New York area, whose genre-defying sound seamlessly blends the acoustic core of a traditional jazz quartet with modern soundscapes like synthesizers and live looping techniques. Currently commanding attention on the international circuit, he is in the studio producing the debut album for his forward-thinking ensemble, Daniel & The Colors—a highly anticipated venture slated for release next year. Celebrated for his artistry across continents, critics at AllAboutJazz.com and TheJazzCorner.com have recognized his significant contributions to the contemporary music landscape, with his works featured on premier radio stations like New Jersey’s WBGO Jazz. This caliber of musicianship has earned him the elite endorsement of world-renowned percussion brands Bosphorus Cymbals and CANOPUS Drums.

Criado’s musical journey is rooted in a rich tapestry of global performance and rigorous academic excellence. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) in Colombia, he was named a prestigious COLFUTURO beneficiary, later earning his Master’s in Jazz Performance from the SUNY Conservatory of Music at Purchase College, where he received the Outstanding Graduate Award. Since relocating to the epicenter of the jazz world in 2016, Criado has carved out a distinct artistic identity characterized by absolute versatility. His explosive yet nuanced rhythmic voice has led to collaborations with prominent Grammy-winning artists and heavyweights of the New York jazz and Latin-jazz scenes, including Samara Joy, Corey Glover, Joe Ferry, David DeJesus, Brandon Lee, Manuel Valera, the Birdland Big Band, John Benitez, and Zaccai Curtis, among many others.

With a decade-long tenure embedded deep within the New York jazz, Latin jazz, and rock scenes, Criado navigated a balance world-class performance with an extensive background in composition, liturgy, and education. His international career highlights include earning the Silver Medal distinction at the prestigious Asakusa Jazz Contest in Tokyo, Japan, with the Miho Sasaki Trio. Simultaneously, he has dedicated over a decade to mentorship, delivering masterclasses globally for institutions like the Centro de Educación Musical de Bucaramanga (CEMB), the UIS Percussion Festival, and New York public schools. His multi-faceted expertise is further reflected in his work as a choral director and pianist for prominent Connecticut ministries, including St. Matthew in Norwalk, and St. Roch’s and St. Mary's in Greenwich.

Looking forward, Criado is channeling this vast eclecticism into Daniel & The Colors—a minimalist, cross-genre project fusing jazz, EDM, singer-songwriter, classical, folk, and indie elements to celebrate human and artistic diversity. As he prepares to launch the group's debut album next year and expands his global masterclass circuit, he invites you to join the journey.

Connect with Daniel: To listen to his latest music, inquire about private instruction or masterclasses and stay tuned for exclusive updates on album releases and upcoming tour dates.