BIOGRAPHY
JACOMO BAIROS
Conductor/Producer
Praised as "thrilling," "world-class," and "inspirational," Portuguese-American conductor and producer Jacomo Bairos is at the vanguard of a new generation of conductors — with a career spanning symphonic masterworks, cross-genre collaborations, and an eclectic discography with Grammy-winning artists across genres. As Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Nu Deco Ensemble, called "sonically spellbinding" by Billboard, Bairos continues to redefine what an orchestra can achieve — remaining equally in demand with the world's leading orchestras across North America and Europe.
In the 2026–27 season, Bairos debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony, the WDR Funkhausorchester, and the Rochester Philharmonic, while returning to the Boston Pops, the Detroit Symphony, and curating several programs for the Atlanta Symphony, alongside his second European tour with Jong Metropole. Recent highlights include 2025–26 debuts with Britten Sinfonia at the Barbican in London, the Colorado Symphony, the Indianapolis Symphony, and the National Philharmonic, with returns to the Baltimore and Sun Valley Symphonies and the Rhode Island Philharmonic. He has also appeared with major orchestras including the San Francisco, St. Louis, Iceland, Singapore, and Houston Symphonies, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Chicago and Malaysia Philharmonics, and the Cincinnati Pops.
A long-standing relationship with Europe's Metropole Orkest has yielded numerous recordings across a diverse range of genres and styles, collaborative performances, and extensive tours across Europe. His recording with the Metropole Orkest featuring vocalist Tutu Puoane, Wrapped in Rhythm, Vol. II, won the 2026 South African Music Award for Best Adult Contemporary Album of the Year — with an additional live album featuring Brazilian pianist-composer Vítor Araújo garnering critical acclaim.
“Fiery, captivating, and refreshingly original."
— Saratoga Living
Described as "a chamber orchestra for the 21st century" by the New York Times, Nu Deco Ensemble has pushed the boundaries of orchestral music through genre-defying performances, transformative collaborations, and dynamic programming that continues to challenge and inspire. Under Bairos' co-leadership, the ensemble has released 15 albums — including Duende (Sony Music Masterworks) and the Billboard-charting Paint the Roses with Larkin Poe — amassing millions of streams and reaching audiences worldwide.
With Nu Deco, Bairos has collaborated and recorded with Grammy-winning artists including Wyclef Jean, Angelique Kidjo, Luis Fonsi, Jacob Collier, Lupe Fiasco, PJ Morton, Madison Cunningham, Robert Glasper, Bilal, Allen Stone, Luke James, Cory Wong, Richard Bona, Derrick Hodge, Monsieur Périné, Stephen Marley, Lawrence, X Ambassadors, and Tank and the Bangas, to name a few.
A dedicated champion of new music, Bairos has commissioned dozens of new works through Nu Deco Ensemble — expanding the orchestral canon in bold and uncharted directions that reflect his unique artistic vision. New works have been commissioned from artists including Kishi Bashi, Robert Glasper, Derrick Hodge, PJ Morton, Courtney Bryan, Cory Henry, Valerie Coleman, Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, Pascal LeBoeuf, Chris Rogerson, and Kevin Day — assembling a living, evolving repertoire that speaks directly to the world we live in today.
His collaborations extend beyond Nu Deco — from Jon Batiste, Andrew Bird, Ben Folds, and Faye Webster to leading classical voices including J'Nai Bridges, Anthony McGill, Courtney Bryan, Jennifer Koh, Jeremy Denk, Will Liverman, and Bryce Dessner.
“Expressive, effervescent, and engaging easily spring to mind to describe conductor Jacomo Bairos."
— Connecticut Post
"Hands-down one of the most thrilling showings from the Philharmonic that I can recall."
— Providence Journal
Deeply committed to music education and the holistic development of young musicians, Bairos leads Nu Deco NXT — the ensemble's youth orchestra — serving as both its conductor and wellness director, integrating mindfulness practices and wellness tools into the fabric of their training and artistic growth. His commitment to nurturing young musicians extends globally, with numerous collaborations and European tours alongside Jong Metropole (2024, 2026) and past tours and partnerships with the Jovem Orquestra Portuguesa.
During his tenure as Music Director of the Amarillo Symphony (2013–2021), Bairos worked collaboratively with musicians, administration, and board leadership to elevate artistic standards and strengthen institutional vitality — launching the orchestra's first composer residencies, pioneering education and community initiatives, premiering over twenty new works, selling out performances and subscription series, and building sustained organizational momentum grounded in shared vision, visionary programming, and community leadership.
A Juilliard-trained tubist, Bairos performed and recorded with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Cincinnati Symphony before serving as Principal Tuba of the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (2004–2007). He later joined the prestigious studio of Gustav Meier at the Peabody Institute by personal invitation, studying alongside Marin Alsop, and at the Aspen Music Festival under Robert Spano, with additional mentorship from Kurt Masur, Jorma Panula, and Larry Rachleff.
A certified yoga teacher, meditation coach, and breathwork facilitator, Bairos brings his own lifelong mindfulness practice to the young musicians he works with — passionately committed to equipping them with the wellness tools and inner resilience that support both their artistry and their lives. He is also the host of Nu Deco Unfiltered, a podcast featuring conversations with today's most compelling musical artists, trailblazing composers, and forward-thinking industry leaders. He divides his time between Miami Beach, Florida, and Lisbon, Portugal.
