Originally born in Montreal, Luis Giraldo grew up in Bogotá, Colombia. His musical career began playing keyboards and singing with a rock band in high school — they called it “Shade of Black.” They played mostly covers of U2, Miguel Mateos, and Soda Stereo songs, among other popular music of the early 90s.
He was drafted into the Colombian army and joined the presidential marching band, playing trumpet (and becoming section leader) during his one-year service. Can you spot Luis in this army picture?
Later in university, he joined the ska-rock band El Jardín de Daniela (Daniela’s Garden) while majoring in industrial engineering. With this group, they won a couple of music contests (“Notas Radioactiva” and “Concurso de Música Kool”) and some studio recording time. He soon realised his true calling was music, and after three semesters, he switched over to a music program with an audio emphasis at Universidad Javeriana.
While in music school, he was invited by Juan Gabriel Turbay to join the nationally renowned rock band Poligamia and went on to record two albums with them on the Sony Music label. He also contributed original songs in a more bluesy style — Casualidad, Déjame en Paz — the beginning of his interest in jazz. Poligamia’s lead singer, Andrés Cepeda, is now a successful recording artist. While in Bogotá on holiday, Luis visited Andrés in the studio while he was recording his first album, Se Morir. He played piano on the title track, which quickly became a runaway hit.
After some touring with Poligamia, Luis was asked to join pop star Shakira’s band as a keyboardist, acoustic rhythm guitarist, and vocalist. He went on to perform with her at 40+ shows all over North, Central, and South America.
Upon finishing that tour, Luis moved to Vancouver to pursue audio engineering studies at Columbia Academy, then went on to study composition at SFU, all the while growing his interest in jazz and the American Songbook.
One fine day, he was asked to join a trio on a four-month cruise ship engagement, playing all jazz standards. This drew the line in the sand — Luis fully “converted” to jazz. He spent some time aboard Royal Caribbean, Seabourn, and Disney cruise ships.
In 2002, he released his first jazz album as a vocalist, Day Dream. Accomplished pianist Chris Sigerson and well-known bassist and producer Rick Kilburn accompany him on the record.
On July 6th, 2008, Luis released It’s Always You to a sold-out room at the Jazz Cellar in Vancouver. The album features arrangements by Bill Coon, Bill Runge, and Jill Townsend, and its roster is a who’s-who of Vancouver jazz musicians. Here’s a video (credit: Cynthia Rodriguez) of the band performing Bill Coon’s arrangement of “Secret Love.” Solos: Bill Coon, Miguelito Valdés (tp), John van Deursen (trb), Bill Runge, Luis Giraldo, Darren Radtke, Dave Robbins.
In early 2022, Cory Weeds co-produced a two-album recording at the hallowed Rudy Van Gelder Studio in Englewood Cliffs, NJ — the same room where John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Thelonious Monk recorded many of their most celebrated records. Luis released Ready, Willing & Able in 2023, alongside Ben Paterson (organ), Ed Cherry (guitar), and Jason Tieman (drums). Leaning on Ben for both records, he released I’m Old Fashioned in 2024 with Ben Paterson (piano), Chris Flory (guitar), and Neal Miner (bass).
Luis has continued performing in the Greater Vancouver area with different bands and under his own name.