Colombian pianist, composer, arranger, and producer.
From an early age, he served as pianist for classic salsa singers in Cali—working with legends like Hermes Manyoma and Carlos Brito (former lead vocalist of Guayacán Orquesta). One of his first formative experiences was alongside the great ambassador of Pacific folk music, Leonor González Mina—“La Negra Grande de Colombia.” That Afro-Colombian musical vocabulary became a defining influence on Caldas and remains a cornerstone of his artistic identity.
Jazz also played a key role in those early days: he performed in Cali with ensembles led by Robbie Ameen (formerly of Seis del Solar) and Berklee professor Óscar Stagnaro.
He’s accompanied artists such as Gilberto Santa Rosa, ChocQuibTown, Susana Bacca, Lucio Feuillet, Marcial Izturiz, and Gerardo Rosales. He was the director, arranger, and producer for Maréh—twice nominated for Latin Grammy Awards—with whom he undertook three international tours: two throughout Mexico and one in Spain.
His festival resume includes Jazz al Parque, Rock al Parque, Colombia al Parque, Noches de Primavera in Mexico, Ajazzgo, and the Festival Petronio Álvarez (where his ensemble took first place in the free grouping category), among others.
Together with virtuosos Juan Carlos Arrechea, Larry Ararat, and Diego Pascagaza, he co-founded the group Cununao, where he’s been crafting the concept of Afro-Colombian piano from a marimbero perspective richly infused with jazz—much like Cuban pianism built on the tres with a jazz twist. With Cununao, he’s performed at Ajazzgo, the Roberto Arias Pérez Jazz Festival, and completed two European tours (France, Switzerland, and the Netherlands), showcasing their three albums: Huellas, Silencio, and Ligia (the latter dedicated to his grandmother).
In 2019, he shared the stage at the Cali Saxophone Festival with one of the world’s foremost alto saxophonists, Miguel Zenón. That same year, he directed Aymee Nuviola’s band at the Universidad de los Andes Jazz Festival in Bogotá.
Giovanni Caldas earned four Latin Grammy Awards for his work as pianist and arranger on Cumbiana I and Cumbiana II, collaborating with Alejandro Sanz, Rubén Blades, Johnny Ventura, and Milly Quezada. He’s also featured on recordings with Alexander Abreu (“Solo tú” feat. Orquesta Calibre) and Alaín Pérez (“Bulungudjuba” feat. La Colectiva Mandjuazz).
In 2024, he joined the ensemble of the acclaimed Spanish singer Concha Buika, performing two concerts at the Teatro Roberto Arias Pérez, and in 2025 at the Colombia al Parque festival.
He currently directs his own label, Ceiba Producciones, working with artists across Cali, Bogotá, São Paulo, London, Berlin, and Mallorca. Under his guidance, Ceiba has released over 60 productions, spotlighting talents such as Carolina Sarta, Lucio Feuillet, Katie James, Diego Castañeda, and NITA.