Not all orchestras sound the same鈥攁nd few sound quite like Nu Deco Ensemble. Since its debut in 2015, the Miami-based group has transformed the city鈥檚 music scene with a vibrant, genre-blurring concept that鈥檚 both versatile and visionary: a fusion of classical tradition with popular styles such as pop, jazz, funk, and electronica.
The idea, conceived by conductor Jacomo Bairos and composer-arranger Sam Hyken was to create a 21st-century orchestra: agile, experimental, and deeply connected to its community and culture.
A Nu Deco performance offers a musical experience where the sophistication of a chamber ensemble meets the raw energy of contemporary music. Called a 鈥渃hamber orchestra for the 21st century鈥� by The New York Times, its repertoire features collaborations with artists such as Macy Gray, Ben Folds, Jacob Collier, Stephen Marley, and Danay Su谩rez, alongside bold reimaginings of music by Daft Punk, Rosal铆a, and The Weeknd.
鈥淚 always look back on our concert with Wyclef Jean with great emotion,鈥� recalls Bairos, a Portuguese-American conductor, producer, and host of the Nu Deco 鈥淯nfiltered鈥� podcast. About the collaborative performance in 2022, he says: 鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 just an electrifying show鈥攊t made me feel that everything we had dreamed of with this orchestra was becoming reality: collaboration, energy, diversity, and a powerful connection with the audience. It鈥檚 also been incredible to see how we鈥檝e grown within our community, impacting young musicians and audiences who hadn鈥檛 previously engaged with orchestral music.鈥�
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On Saturday, April 26, Nu Deco Ensemble will mark its 10th anniversary with a concert at the Knight Concert Hall at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts. The program features 40 musicians on stage, guest artists, an original anniversary suite, new musical collaborations, and, as the organizers say, several surprises.
鈥淭his program represents the best of who we are. It has every element we aspire to express,鈥� says Bairos, a graduate of both The Juilliard School and the Peabody Institute, who has performed and toured internationally with the New York Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops. 鈥淲e鈥檒l start with our anniversary suite鈥攁 kind of 鈥榞reatest hits鈥� collection that includes orchestral interpretations of songs by The Police, Daft Punk, Bill Withers, and Outkast. It鈥檚 a tribute to the artists who鈥檝e become part of our musical DNA.鈥�
Also in the program is the 鈥淪ymphonic Dances of 鈥榃est Side Story鈥� 鈥� by Leonard Bernstein, which Bairos describes as 鈥渁 20th-century masterpiece that blends musical genres and perfectly embodies our philosophy of performing works by 20th- and 21st-century composers.鈥�
The evening also includes the world premiere of a commissioned piece by Grammy-winning artist PJ Morton, composed specifically for Nu Deco. 鈥淭his work is a great example of our commitment to commissioning new music from artists who don鈥檛 typically write for orchestras,鈥� explains Bairos.
A piece with composer and multi-instrumentalist Kishi Bashi was built 鈥渢hrough a uniquely collaborative process鈥攋ust like a legendary band would. It reflects our willingness to break traditional molds,鈥� he adds.
One of the ensemble鈥檚 earliest collaborators, Bashi says he was invited by Nu Deco where he worked with members of the ensemble to craft a composition, which he adds, taps into jazz, fusion and contemporary composition.
鈥淵ou can hear the result,鈥� says Bashi. It was an honor to be one of their first artists in this type of collaboration. I worked with Sam Hyken to finish the piece, and we are extremely excited to share the resulting work, 鈥楾he Calling,鈥� 鈥� says Bashi.
The grand finale will feature Puerto Rican Luis Fonsi鈥攚inner of four Latin Grammy Awards, seven Billboard Latin Music Awards, and three Grammy nominations鈥攑erforming live with the ensemble. 鈥淔onsi is a global icon,鈥� says Bairos. 鈥淥ur goal is to elevate his music and offer a new perspective through the full spectrum of colors that only an orchestra can provide.鈥�
One of Nu Deco鈥檚 most notable accomplishments is its foundation in local talent. 鈥淢ost of our musicians are freelancers based in Miami,鈥� says Bairos. 鈥淲hile we occasionally bring in players from out of town for specific needs, our core is built from musicians who鈥檝e forged careers playing in orchestras, opera pits, chamber groups, and teaching here in the city. In fact, we still have six or seven musicians who were with us from our very first season.鈥�
In recent years, Nu Deco has launched open auditions for substitute players, expanding access and helping to discover fresh talent in the area. 鈥淎 lot of musicians wanted to play with us but didn鈥檛 know how. These auditions have allowed us to find emerging artists and musicians new to Miami. If they meet our standards, we invite them to join us. It鈥檚 been a fantastic way to strengthen Miami鈥檚 artistic ecosystem.鈥�
Operating in a landscape where public funding for the arts continues to shrink, Nu Deco has had to be both adaptive and inventive. While the ensemble enjoys support from private donors and philanthropic programs, the reduction in state funding poses serious challenges.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a small organization. When a $90,000 state grant disappears due to political shifts, it has a serious impact on our operations,鈥� says Bairos. 鈥淥ur budget is limited, so any cut is felt deeply.鈥�
Nonetheless, the ensemble has embraced an entrepreneurial mindset, diversifying its revenue streams through performances, corporate sponsorships, membership programs, and robust educational outreach.
鈥淔oundations are still out there, but their priorities are shifting. That鈥檚 why we鈥檙e evolving the way we serve our community,鈥� adds Bairos. 鈥淲e all want this city to thrive, and we believe art, culture, and education are essential to that goal.鈥�
Still, sustainable growth is key to the future. 鈥淭o keep producing full seasons every year, we need to secure more funding, and that means growing our staff,鈥� says Bairos.
Ten years in, Nu Deco Ensemble鈥檚 founders believe they represent far more than an innovative musical concept. They want to show what a bold redefinition of what a modern orchestra can be鈥攐ne that鈥檚 inclusive, forward-thinking, and deeply rooted in its community. Bairos and Hyken have proven that symphonic music can be vibrant, relevant, and unafraid to evolve.
鈥淢usic unites us all鈥攁nd that鈥檚 what we want to keep doing: unite,鈥� says Bairos.
IF YOU GO
What: Nu Deco Ensemble Anniversary Concert with Special Guest Luis Fonsi, Kishi Bashi, and music by PJ Morton.
When: 8 p.m., Saturday, April 26
Where: Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami
Cost: $75, $125, $155, $185, $250
Information: 305-702-0116 and www.arshtcenter.org
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