Caldera (band)

Caldera

Company type	Musical group
Industry	Music
Founded	1976
Defunct	1979
Headquarters	New York City , United States
Key people	Eduardo del Barrio, Jorge Strunz, Greg Lee, Steve Tavaglione, Carlos Vega, Mike "Baiano" Azevedo
Products	Jazz fusion music albums
Parent	Capitol Records

Caldera was a US-based ensemble that fused elements of jazz, funk, and rock with Latin musical traditions. Drawing inspiration from groups like Return to Forever and Weather Report, their style also embraced soul, Afro-Cuban rhythms, salsa, samba, and Peruvian music.

Biography

Under the leadership of keyboardist Eduardo del Barrio and guitarist Jorge Strunz (Strunz & Farah), Caldera featured musicians originating from both Latin America and the United States. The lineup included US natives bassist Greg Lee and saxophonist Steve Tavaglione, alongside Strunz from Costa Rica, Del Barrio from Argentina, drummer Carlos Vega from Cuba, and percussionist Mike "Baiano" Azevedo hailing from Brazil.

Caldera secured a contract with Capitol in 1976, releasing their eponymous debut album that year. This was followed by Sky Islands (1977), Time and Chance (1978), and Dreamer (1979). Notably, Sky Islands was co-produced by Larry Dunn of Earth, Wind & Fire. Their single "Out of the Blue" reached number 95 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart in January 1977. Additionally, Time and Chance attained the 46th spot on the Billboard Best Selling Jazz LPs chart in October 1978. The composition "Ancient Source" experienced a resurgence in popularity after being sampled by rappers Joey Badass and Rick Ross.

Except for their third release, all albums have been reissued on CD. Although Caldera disbanded in 1979, its members continued their musical pursuits: Strunz went on to form the guitar duo Strunz & Farah, while Del Barrio worked with prominent artists such as Earth, Wind & Fire, Stan Getz, and Dianne Reeves during the 1980s and 1990s.

Discography

• Caldera (1976)
• Sky Islands (1977)
• Time and Chance (1978)
• Dreamer (1979)