Jacomo Bairos
“[Bairos’] music-making is world class. I’ve never heard a better live account of Prokofiev’s glorious Romeo and Juliet ballet score. It was as though I were hearing it for the first time. There was incredible control, going from rafter-rattling explosions to dreamy whispers in an instant. This was hands-down one of the most thrilling showings from the Philharmonic that I can recall. Bairos proved to be a ferocious conductor, sometimes leading the orchestra with the grace of a ballerina, sometimes with the power of a prizefighter closing in on a knockout.”
-
As Co-Founder and Artistic Director for Nu Deco Ensemble, Jacomo creates compelling musical experiences that connect with new and varied audiences and artists while transcending traditional musical genres. Jacomo and Nu Deco commissioned EO 9066 - a multimedia work by indie pop crossover artist Kishi Bashi based on the internment of Japanese Americans in World War II that ultimately tells a story of hope, humanity and community through intimate and beautiful music, poetry and cinematic interactive video. This work also inspired a documentary movie titled Omoiyari that debuted at SXSW 2022 and has been performed by symphony orchestras in St. Louis, Seattle and Oregon, among others.
-
Jacomo has spearheaded initiatives like Nu Deco's Access Program, which hosts over 400 local residents who would otherwise be unable to attend live concerts. He has created broader community connections with the youth and education programs of Nu Deco's NXT, an inclusive and holistic youth ensemble created in 2019, and through the Imagination Series that touches the lives of nearly 10,000 young people in South Florida and around the nation each year through blended live and digitally streamed educational programming. In Miami, these organizational missions, foundational programs and new initiatives have helped create and sustain an ensemble that is reimagining the impact and role an orchestra can have within its community in the 21st century.
-
Nu Deco Unfiltered presents conversations with dynamic and award-winning musical artists, trailblazing composers and forward-thinking industry leaders and CEOs. Hosted by Jacomo, these conversations dive deep into the lives and works of these exceptional artists and leaders, peeling back the mysterious curtain of creativity and inspiration, while exploring life wisdom gleaned from their stories and prolific careers. In telling these stories, Jacomo's hope is to captivate not only the audiences of today, but future audiences as well.
Jacomo Bairos is a conductor renowned for his innovative approach, electrifying artistry, and visionary programming that reshapes the symphonic experience. As Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Miami’s groundbreaking Nu Deco Ensemble, Bairos leads a genre-defying chamber orchestra that merges classical music with a wide range of styles and artists, including contemporary, pop, jazz, R&B, latin, and indie. Through vibrant, immersive performances, Nu Deco pushes the boundaries of what a modern orchestra can be, captivating audiences worldwide. Described as “sonically spellbinding” by Billboard and a “21st-century chamber orchestra” by The New York Times, Nu Deco has redefined the orchestra’s role through imaginative programming, deep community engagement, and 14 album releases, amassing millions of streams and views globally.
Praised in the press as “thrilling,” “world-class,” and “inspirational,” Bairos’ work is marked by riveting performances, a collaborative spirit, and a commitment to innovation. His programming blends relevance with excitement, appealing to seasoned classical audiences while attracting new and diverse listeners. Whether collaborating with Grammy-winning artists like Jon Batiste, Wyclef Jean, Angelique Kidjo, and Jacob Collier, or juxtaposing classical masterworks with compositions by living composers, Bairos infuses fresh energy into each performance, resonating deeply with today’s audiences.
Bairos is passionate about forging connections through music. He regularly commissions and collaborates with award-winning cross-genre musicians such as Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, and PJ Morton, while also performing, recording, and commissioning new works for classical luminaries like J’Nai Bridges, Will Liverman, Anthony McGill, and Jennifer Koh.
-
Education is central to Bairos’ mission. As an advocate for youth engagement, he leads Nu Deco NXT, the ensemble’s youth orchestra, incorporating mindfulness and wellness into their artistic development. His commitment to education extends to orchestras worldwide, including tours and festivals with Jong Metropole and previous collaborations with Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa.
In the 2025-26 season, Bairos brings his vibrant artistry to a compelling series of collaborations with leading American orchestras. Appearances include performances with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, the Colorado Symphony, and Symphonia Boca Raton.
During his tenure as Music Director of the Amarillo Symphony (2013–2021), Bairos presided over unprecedented artistic and fiscal growth. He implemented numerous community initiatives, established composer residencies, launched young composer programs with WT-A&M, commissioned 17 new works, and developed impactful outreach projects such as Class Act and Symphony Kids.
A frequent guest conductor with leading orchestras, including the Baltimore, Atlanta, San Francisco, and National Symphonies, the Boston Pops, and the Netherlands’ Metropole Orkest, Bairos is celebrated for his dynamic performances and his ability to bridge classical and contemporary music in exciting ways. This season features debuts with the Naples Philharmonic and the Boca Symphonia, alongside return engagements with the Metropole Orkest.
A Juilliard-trained tuba player, Bairos has performed with prestigious ensembles like the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and has toured and recorded with the Cincinnati Symphony. He later studied conducting at the Peabody Institute with Gustav Meier and Marin Alsop, as well as at the Aspen Music Festival under his mentor Robert Spano.
In Miami, Bairos leads mindfulness and wellness workshops, offers online meditations, and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters Miami. He also hosts “Nu Deco Unfiltered,” a podcast featuring conversations with dynamic musical artists, trailblazing composers, and forward-thinking industry leaders. In 2024, Bairos began producing his first solo project with Miami DJ and producer Fabio Garlarce of Dude Skywalker, set to release in winter 2025.
Bairos divides his time between Miami Beach, Florida, and Lisbon, Portugal, continually seeking new ways to inspire and connect through music.
July 2025 – Please do not edit without permission.
Videos
Projects
