Luis Giraldo

Bobby Hales reviews "It's Always You"

2008-12-17T23:55:00.000-08:00

When pianist, vocalist and producer Luis Giraldo records a CD he hires the best musicians, arrangers, studios and technicians. The proof of this is captured exquisitely in his latest CD "It's Always You". If you're a fan of standards produced in a new and refreshing way, then this CD is for you.

With swinging big band and combo arrangements by Bill Runge and Bill Coon, beautiful ballad arrangements written by Bill Coon, Bill Runge and Jill Townsend for the Babayaga String Quartet, Luis has provided himself with swingin' and lush backgrounds for his great vocals. Luis' piano solos and accompaniments are also a plus on many of the tracks especially that feature the Babayaga strings.

"On a Clear Day" and "Secret Love" are outstanding performance by Luis and on "Secret Love" we get to hear to hear a great flugelhorn solo from Vince Mai as well as the great lead trumpet playing of Miguel Angel Valdes along with the talented trombonist Rod Murray.

The alto solo on "Emily" by Bill Runge is fantastic. This CD has so many musical pluses; it would be a shame for you not to add it to your collection. It is just superb in every aspect of Pop, Jazz and standard music production that I defy anyone who is a fan of standards to disagree with me. To see a complete list of the outstanding personnel on the CD and to purchase a copy, visit www.itsalwaysyou.com.

Bobby Hales
President, Vancouver Musicians' Association

"It's Always You" can be purchased at CD Baby, as well as iTunes.

Performing with Amanda Wood at the Hotel Vancouver

2008-12-14T02:51:00.000-08:00

Performing with songstress Amanda Wood at the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.

When:
Thursday December 18, 2008 • 8pm-12am
Friday December 19, 2008 • 8pm-12am
Saturday December 20, 2008 • 8pm-12am

Where:
900 West Lounge
900 West Georgia Street (between Hornby and Burrard)
Fairmont Hotel Vancouver
Vancouver, BC

No Cover, and No Reservations Necessary.

With Warren Stanyer at the Pan Pacific

2008-09-21T23:47:00.001-07:00

I'll be performing alongside Warren Stanyer on Oct 3 and 4, 2008 at the Cascades Lounge of the Pan Pacific Hotel.

Come join us for some drinks and great music!

It's Always You CD NOW AVAILABLE

2008-08-17T17:02:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that the CD release was a big success! The room at the Jazz Cellar was SOLD OUT!

"It's Always You" is now available at Indie Pool online, as well as a CD Baby and iTunes.

I hope you have a chance to preview and buy it!!

Regards,

Luis

CD Release Announced

2008-04-06T01:06:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone!!!! I'm really excited to tell you all that the new album "It's Always You" is almost finished, and the official release date is July 6th.

What: Luis Giraldo CD Release Concert
When: Sunday July 6th, 2008
Where: The Jazz Cellar - 3611 West Broadway

Ticket Prices: $15, or $25 including a copy of the album.

For Reservations, please call: (604) 738-1959.

You can also view a "micro-site" of the album and CD release at www.itsalwaysyou.com.

Luis Giraldo at the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel

2008-02-17T23:07:00.000-08:00

I'm hoping you can all make it out to the Fairmont Waterfront this week to catch one of the weekend performances!

What: Luis Giraldo solo Jazz vocals and piano
Where: Fairmont Waterfront Hotel (Heron's Lounge), 990 Canada Place Way, Vancouver, BC
When: February 21, 22, 23, 2008
Time: 5pm-10pm

No Cover and No Reservations required.

Hope to see you there!

Performing with Warren Stanyer at the Cascades Lounge!

2008-01-02T00:24:00.000-08:00

Come and join us on January 17, 18, and 19 for some great music with fantastic singer Warren Stanyer.

Thursday 9:00pm-12:00am
Friday and Saturday 9:45pm-12:30am

Pan Pacific Hotel
Vancouver Convention and Exhibition Centre
999 Canada Place Way
Vancouver, BC

Sunday Night Jazz at Bardot

2007-08-19T10:44:00.000-07:00

Come and join me with Catherine St. Germain and Adam Rohrlick at Bardot on Aug 26th for the official kick-off of Sunday Night Jazz!
1137 Marinaside Drive (Yaletown)
Reservations: 604-683-5335

Returning to Ocean Club!

2007-08-19T10:38:00.000-07:00

After a summer break, I will slowly be returning to Ocean Club for the Fall and Winter. Upcoming dates: Aug 28, Sept 4, 25, and then all Tuesdays in October. See you there!

Final Night at the Ocean Club

2007-05-28T14:58:00.000-07:00

This Tuesday May 29, join me for my final night at the Ocean Club, don't miss it!

Easter Brunch 2007

2007-04-08T01:17:00.001-07:00

Join me and wonderful bassist Doug Stephenson from 11am to 3:30pm at
the Café Pacifica at the Pan Pacific Hotel for the city's best brunch.

April Events now Published

2007-04-08T00:07:00.001-07:00

Be sure to check out the calendar at www.musicvancouver.com/events to
see upcoming events, and I hope to see you soon!

Luis

Turner Music and Events adds Luis Giraldo to Roster

2006-07-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to report that Turner Music and Events has added me to their roster, and I'm very excited to get the chance to work with Jeff.

For more information about Jeff and his company, please visit his website.

Day Dream CD Available Internationally

2006-07-11T17:35:00.000-07:00

My CD 'Day Dream' can now be ordered directly in certain stores all over the world, please see below for information about your country.

Australia
Minotaur Ent.
Stomp Abbotsford, Melbourne
618 Records Adelaide,5000
Spot Music Avalon
Abels Music Bathrust
Leading Edge Penrith Bathurst
Sandlia Bathurst
Stop N Rock Bathurst
Redback Bathurst
Sunflower Music Broadbeach, Queensland
Sound Wave Corp. Carlisle, Perth
Polyester Records Fitzroy
Resist Records Newtown, SYDNEY
Yesterday & Today Parramata NSW
Disc Entertainment Prahran Victoria
Rocket Group Pty. Richmond, Vic. 3121
Next Level Records Sydney
Red Eye Records Sydney N.S.W
DVD Australia Victoria 3111

Mexico:
Casa De Music De Luxe Store 19
Discomania
Casa De Music De Luxe Store 21
Music & Mexico/Victor Mendez
Casa De Music De Luxe Store 13
Casa De Music De Luxe Store #3
Casa De Music De Luxe Store #9
Casa De Music De Luxe Store #2
Galeria de Discos/DVD
Distorsiones
Daniel Sainz mlnd Culiacan , Sinaloa
PM-Mix Guad Centro Magno#2056 Delegacion Tlalpan Mexico City
Miguel Acevedo Mexico City
Dread House San Ysidro

Japan:
JYM AND RECORDS Fukuyama-Shi, Hiroshima
Ark Enterprise Machida-shi, Tokyo
Atmosphere Musashino-Shi Tokyo
Bout Records Nagoya, Aichi
Sam's Record Shop Sakai, Osaka
Marquee Inc. Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Rockgatez Inc. Tokyo
Handa Wanda Tokyo
Sam's Shibuya Tokyo

United Kingdom:
Game Lifestyle England
Music Inc. Essex
Perfect Circle Music Lmtd. London
Sounds of the Universe LONDON
Amazing Grace CRC London
Proper Music Distribution London
Black Arrow Distribution London
CD City Notts England

France:
Starter Import Service Arcueil
Fnac Centrale d' Achat Auberrilliers
Wanadoo E-Merchant Impasse Des Armoirie
Societe de Biens Audio-Visuels Lille
The Beat Squeeze Paris
Gibert Joseph Paris Paris
Gibert Joseph Paris Paris

Canada:
Take 2 Films Gabrioia Island
Cheapies Records Hamilton
My Music.Com Kanata
Moondance-Canada Peterburough
Sunrise Records Toronto, Ontario

Germany:
Musix Soundwarx
Megaphon Berlin 10999
JPC-Schallplatten Versandhande Georgsmarienhutte
TCS-World of Country Music Gevelsberg

Chile:
Comercializadora Todo Clasico
Funtracks Santiago
Next Time Lmtd. Santiago

Spani:
Discos Castello S.A. Barcelona
Toni Martin Discos Madrid
Radio City Madrid

Taiwan:
Wun Ton Li Activity Design Co.
Da Project Records Taipei
Species Records Taipei

Italy:
Doppia Traccia Alessandria
Zero Db Ragazzon Giuseppe Arona (No)

Holland:
Walboomers Amsterdam
Rockhouse Records Holland

New Zealand:
Sound Lounge Kerikeri, Northland
Key Music Napier

Virgin Islands, U.S>.:
Just CD's Miami
Modern Music St. Thomas

Austria:
Outbench Mailorder Oliver Kris Niederoesterreich

Bahrain:
Gadeer Video Isa Town

Costa Rica:
Audio Laser, SA.

Ecuador:
Fun Time Del Ecuador S.A. EMA Miami

Finland:
Suomen Tanssitarvike Helsinki

Hong Kong:
Love Da Records Sheung Wan

Korea:
Purple Record Seoul

Norway:
Cd Planet Haugesund

Philippines:
Cue Music Mandaluyong City

Puerto Rico:
Music Gallery-Puerto Rico Aguadilla

Sweden:
Border Music Goteborg

Singapore:
That's Music Midpoint Orchard

South Africa:
Kurse Music Hawthorne

Performing at the "O.C." (The Ocean Club)

2006-07-09T02:20:00.000-07:00

I'm going into my sixth week performing at the Ocean Club in West Vancouver. I must say that to date it's been a most enjoyable experience, and for several reasons.

The ambience is very relaxed, the venue is gorgeous, the food is awesome, and I get to play some nice latin and Jazz standards.

I've made an effort to try everything on the menu thus far, but seem to have gotten stuck on the Beef Tenderloin, or the Ahi Tuna...Both are absolutely amazing. Two thumbs up to Chef Doug Scott, who is also a Jazz fan by the way.

I'm looking forward to performing well into the fall and hopefully
Winter as well. Currently the gig is a duo, and I've performed with a few different guests: Rick Kilburn, Tom Colclough, John Nolan, and I hope to bring in a few others as well. It's nice that the format can change, it keeps things fresh and interesting.

I really hope everybody gets a chance to come and check this place out, it's just truly outstanding. Kudos to Andre Thomas (managing partner) who's done a phenomenal job in getting it to be THE PLACE to go in West Van.

Tuesdays: 7:30pm-11:30pm
Address: 105 - 100 Park Royal South, West Vancouver

Directions:
From Downtown: Take Lion's Gate, Marine Drive West, Taylor Way
South, look for the dark building on the left.
From West Van: Taylor Way South (go past Marine Drive), look for the
dark building on the left.

Giraldo's Long and Winding Road to the Magic of Jazz

2006-04-03T08:43:00.000-07:00

If you like Canadian piano-playing jazz crooner Diana Krall, then Luis Giraldo could be your favorite new singer. Also hailing from Canada, Giraldo peddles music similar to that of Krall's -- classic song-inspired melodies coupled with seductive vocals -- romance-inducing music that can melt the heart of even the most die-hard rock fan. His musical resemblance to Krall is so striking that some critics have hailed him the "male version of Diana Krall". "I want my music to evoke a lot of romanticism. That's what I want with my music, something that makes people want to fall in love," Giraldo told The Jakarta Post shortly after his performance for the Java Jazz (JJ) Festival earlier this month. In his gig at JJ, Giraldo was backed by bassist Rick Kilburn and drummer Chris Nordquist, who were also present for an interview in Central Jakarta. Listening to Giraldo's two albums, Daydream and When I Fall in Love, released by Universal Music for a limited market, and seeing him play a live set at JJ, fans will have nothing to disagree with over his claim for a place in the adult-oriented jazz scene. Both his live shows and recorded works are replete with gorgeous piano playing and impressive vocals, reminiscent of nostalgic acts from days of yore, which he believed would easily connect with an Indonesian audience. "People in Indonesia are easily attracted by romantic music and I think of myself as a romantic guy, so I have no problem portraying my music in a way that is interesting to Indonesian people," Giraldo said.

The native of Bogota, Colombia, who relocated to Canada only nine years ago, also held a firm belief that he was in possession of that romantic quality simply from the fact the he was of Latin American origin. Latin music and its purveyors like Shakira, Ricky Martin and Marc Anthony have long been associated with romanticism and sexiness. But above anything else, Giraldo wanted his musicianship to take precedence over the image or hype that has been attached to him. "I want my music to be appreciated because it's good in its own right and not due to a large-scale promotion campaign," he said. Little wonder that Giraldo later went on a journey off the beaten track to places spared by the hype-driven music market, where he found that his music was really appreciated. He believed that that type of appreciative audience could be found in Asia. His first jazz album, Daydream, was released by Universal only for the Philippines market. Maybe because Giraldo did not want to be a popular singer he had a brush with mainstream popularity early on. Not so long ago, Giraldo was played keyboards for a band that supported his fellow Colombian Shakira during her world tour. During his stint with the band, Giraldo got an experience of what it felt like to play in front of 60,000 people in a stadium-sized arena. "I'm glad I got hold of stardom and fame in my system very early because now I'm not obsessed about knowing what it's like to be successful. I can focus on being true to what I wanted to do -- making music that means something to me, and bring that to other people," he said. It is all the more surprising, however, to find out that Giraldo was playing for a rock band when he first made his plunge into the music industry. Giraldo's performing and recording career started in Colombia where he released four albums with rock band Poligamia on Sony Music. Even when he was already in Canada, Giraldo was still performing with pop- and rock-oriented performers such as Richard Torrance, Brian Allan, DJ Killers and Marcus Anthony.

He discovered jazz almost by accident: He was given an offer to play jazz as part of a trio on board a cruise ship, an opportunity that required him to rehearse much of the jazz repertoire in a very short time. "That's how I started with jazz: It was jazz that found me; not the other way around," Giraldo said.

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Distribution Deal in Indonesia

2006-03-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

Following my visit to Jakarta to perform at their very successful International Jazz Festival, Universal Records has contacted me to propose a distribution agreement for my album Day Dream, for the Indonesia territory! This is great news, as now it can be found in 2 major Asian countries.