300 words bio

Jorge Amado (b.1997)

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Amado is a Cuban-born composer, violinist, and violist whose music bridges Afro-Cuban traditions with contemporary classical language. His work explores the cultural memory of his homeland while embracing modern aesthetics, creating a distinctive voice rooted in rhythm, lyricism, and identity.

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His compositions have been performed in major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Chicago Symphony Center, Merkin Hall, Concertgebouw Amsterdam and Wiener Konzerthaus, commissioned by artists and ensembles including the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Catalyst Quartet, Niurka González, Chicago Civic Fellows, Jon Kimura Parker, Alexandria Symphony Orchestra, Desirée Ruhstrat, ~Nois Quartet, Flannau Duo, and Quijote Duo. 

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His music spans chamber, orchestral, and stage works, often marked by intricate textures, expressive lyricism, and a profound sense of cultural storytelling, and has premiered at festivals including Ear Taxi Festival, Virginia Arts Festival, Annapolis Chamber Music Festival, and Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival.

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A recipient of numerous international honors, Amado was awarded 2nd Prize at the 2025 Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival Call for Scores, Cubadisco Award for his album Ofrenda, and several First Prizes at major composition competitions, including 8SW Composition Competition, Musicalia, and Nuestra América. In 2025, he was Composer Fellow at the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival at the Juilliard School and received a 2023 Jeff Award nomination for his original theater music for Measure for Measure at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, in collaboration with Orbert Davis.

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Amado earned his Master of Arts in Music Composition (with Distinction) from DePaul University, studying with Dr. Osnat Netzer and Dr. Christopher Jones, and his Bachelor’s degree in Composition and Violin Performance (summa cum laude) from the University of the Arts in Havana, studying with Juan Piñera and Carmen Amador.

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Based in Chicago, he is Teaching Artist and Assistant to the Artistic Director of the Chicago Jazz Philharmonic, while maintaining an active studio in violin, viola, and composition.

October 2025 - jorgeamadomusic.com