Colombian musician Juan Andrés Ospina boasts a multifaceted career in the arts. Excelling as a composer, producer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, he further captivates with his performances as a vocalist, pianist, conductor, and comedian. As an online content creator, he blends wit and creativity in crafting his own videos and short projects, and his adeptness at facilitating and leading vocal improvisations distinguishes him as an extraordinary spontaneous creator, capable of guiding large groups and composing music extemporaneously.
Among his recent achievements is his production and vocal arrangement for Karol G’s smash hit “Mientras Me Curo del Cora,” where he meticulously recorded and performed 32 vocal tracks to create a rich, fully vocal accompaniment. This work earned him a nomination for Record of the Year at the 2023 Latin Grammys. The track features on “Mañana Será Bonito,” an acclaimed album that won a Latin Grammy for Album of the Year and a Grammy for Best Latin Rock, Urban or Alternative Album.
His latest album with Juan Andrés Ospina Big Band, “Tramontana” (2018), showcases the talents of 26 musicians from 10 different countries, including the 16-time Grammy Award-winning Paquito D’Rivera. The album came to life through a creative Kickstarter campaign that successfully raised $35,000 with the support of 600 backers worldwide. To celebrate the album’s release, Juan was invited to conduct and perform with the legendary WDR Big Band in Cologne (Germany), and with the TipToe Big Band in Odense, Denmark. He has taken the stage with his own big band on several occasions at the prestigious “Dizzy‘s Club Coca-Cola” (part of “Jazz at Lincoln Center” in New York City), sharing stage with illustrious artists such as Paquito D’Rivera, Lucia Pulido, Sofia Ribeiro, Sofia Rei, and Magda Giannikou, among others. His debut album as a bandleader, “BBB: Barcelona, Bogotá, Boston” (2010), was recorded in Boston with an international ensemble of emerging jazz musicians, and was hailed by All About Jazz magazine as one of the “best jazz albums of the year.”
In addition to his performing career, Ospina is currently a faculty member at “Circlesongs,” a vocal improvisation retreat led by the renowned vocalist Bobby McFerrin and visionary producer Linda Goldstein, alongside an assembly of exceptional singers from across the world.
Ospina’s production, arranging, and piano skills are prominent on several internationally acclaimed albums. Notable among these is Colombian singer Marta Gómez’s “Este instante” (2015), which received two Latin Grammy nominations, as well as Portuguese singer Sofia Ribeiro’s album “Ar” (2012), which was distinguished with the “Revelation” prize by the respected French jazz magazine Jazzman, and Portuguese singer Luisa Sobral’s debut CD “The Cherry on my Cake” (2011), which achieved Gold and Platinum status, topping charts across multiple European countries following its release.
In 2014, Ospina contributed an arrangement to Colombian singer Fonseca’s Latin Grammy-winning DVD “Fonseca Sinfónico” for “Best Pop Vocal Album.” Additionally, in 2007, he served as an arranger for the Latin Grammys Live Achievement Awards Ceremony. His talents as an arranger also extend to collaborations with renowned vocalist Lisa Fischer (US) and the Metropole Orchestra (Netherlands), further cementing his status as a gifted and resourceful artist.
Juan Ospina has toured extensively as the musical director for the Portuguese singer Sofia Ribeiro, contributed to Marta Gómez’s projects, crafted arrangements for Sylvie Bourban’s latest four albums, and collaborated with renowned artists like New York’s highly acclaimed Banda Magda and Colombian superstar Fonseca. His artistic endeavors have led him to perform in respected venues, including New York’s Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall, and participate in leading jazz festivals throughout Europe, Latin America, and Japan. The multi-Grammy Award-winning artist Paquito D’Rivera has presented Ospina’s original compositions at prestigious venues, such as the illustrious Blue Note in New York and Carnegie Hall. Ospina’s big band arrangements have also been well-received, performed by ensembles including the UMO Jazz Orchestra in Finland, the WDR Big Band in Germany, and the Bogotá Big Band in Colombia. His compositions have been part of the curriculum at esteemed music institutions like Berklee College of Music, NEC (New England Conservatory), UNT (University of North Texas), and Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá for educational purposes. Additionally, Ospina’s diverse talents extend to film scoring, notably for “Kairós,” a joint French-Colombian venture directed by the Colombian Nicolás Buenaventura.
In addition to his roles as a producer, pianist, and arranger, Juan Andrés Ospina is also a key member of the comedy and music duo “Inténtalo Carito,” which he leads with his brother Nicolás Ospina. The duo has gained widespread recognition, particularly for their song “Qué difícil es hablar el español,” which boasts over 35 million views on their YouTube channel. Their outreach continues to expand, captivating millions of fans from various countries, and their work has not only garnered a global fan base but also the attention of significant international audiences. “Inténtalo Carito” has performed in countries such as Australia, Spain, the United States, and their home country, Colombia.
Ospina’s musical journey began at Universidad Javeriana in Bogotá. He later moved to Barcelona, Spain, where he continued to hone his classical and jazz skills at both the Escola D’Angel Soler and the Taller de Musics. In 2005, his talents earned him a scholarship to Berklee College of Music, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2007. During his time at Berklee, he studied under accomplished musicians including Danilo Pérez, Maria Schneider, Greg Hopkins, and Dave Samuels amongst others, and he was the honored recipient of both the Jazz Herb Pomeroy Award and the Herb Pomeroy Award. Following his graduation, Ospina spent a decade living in New York, and currently divides his time between Europe, Colombia, and the United States, continuing to engage with the music scenes across these regions.