:::::::::::::::::: Welcome to ¿QUE PASA? MAGAZINE ::::::::::::::::::Giraldo Piloto_Klimax

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GIRALDO PILOTO KLIMAX

Angie Parkinson interviews Giraldo pilot Klimax. Angie asks him about conflicts and pressures of working in a large band. We discover who Piloto would most like to meet and how he got involved with Timba music.

¿Que Pasa?: Who is Giraldo pilot?

Piloto: Hello Angie I’m director of Cuban band Klimax, composer, arranger, producer and percussionist.

¿Que Pasa?: You 've worked with various artists/band (Omara Portuondo, Paul Milanes and Chucho Valdes), do you prefer this or solo?

Piloto: Working with people like Omara, Paul or Chucho is a dream come true. I grew up admiring their work, so to be able to work together with them, as a musician, gives a special appeal to every musical project I propose or suggest to them. Working alone is something every artist wants at some point in his career. However, in my case, I enjoy both working solo and and with artists.

¿Que Pasa?: When you worked with Klimax, how do you all contribute?

Piloto: As a director, I choose the repertoire, but singers, (in the case of the dance topics) are all free to decide whether they want to interpret the proposal which I give them or which brings or use their own. Between us we look at everything, and although I have the last decision, any idea is welcome.

¿Que Pasa?:: How do manage conflicts and pressures in working with a large band?

Piloto: It is very difficult, but the main thing is the experience to be able to solve problems that occur.

¿Que Pasa?: What are your influences?

Piloto: I have many influences.
The most important was the work left my Father Giraldo pilot Bea. This influence gives my songs "a tap" romantic and different texts to most of the timberas songs, and when I was in school it was this inspiration that made me want to be a composer. I grew up listening to bands and jazz and Cuban music. I admire the work of many drummers like Buddy Rich, Steve Gadd, Peter E., Dennis Chambers, Billy C, Dave Weckl, and many more. Also I follow, Yellow Jackets, the Marsalis, Brecker and Brazilian musicians.

¿Que Pasa?: How would you describes your music?
Dancing music or Latin Jazz.

¿Que Pasa?: How did you get involved with timba music?

Piloto: It all started on Tropicana when I finished my work as a percussionist in the first show. Then I was involved with Timba music with the NG

band, the orchestra I founded in 1988.

¿Que Pasa?: do you have a defining moment?

Piloto: I have definitely defining moments in my career.

1. My graduation as a musician and to start working at Tropicana in the 1980
2. My experience with NG band as a drummer.
3. Conductor of the band “Isaac Delgado” from 1992.
4. Creation of Klimax in 1995

¿Que Pasa?:Who would you most like to meet and why?

Piloto: I would really like to meet many people, such as Quincy Jones and any of the great Brazilian musicians.

¿Que Pasa?: Solo tu is a is a magnificant CD, What track is requested most?"

Piloto: I prefer “La permute”, "Rosita and Laura" and "Solo tu y yo".

¿Que Pasa?:: If you were going to stay on a remote island and could only take one item with you, what would you take and why?

Piloto: That is very difficult... I think my guitar....

¿Que Pasa?: What is your favourite country and why?

Piloto: Cuba, because I have almost everything I need to live and work.

¿Que Pasa?: How do you prepare yourself for a concert?
Piloto: I need to make sure that everything is in place, the instruments, the musicians, the singers etc.

¿Que Pasa?: What would I expect to see at one of your concerts?
Piloto: A show of Cuban music.

¿Que Pasa?: What's in your CD player now?
Piloto: I have an old Klimax disc.

¿Que Pasa?: Where do you see yourself in 10 years time?
Piloto: I don't really know, maybe still in Cuba.

For futher information on concerts or to order a CD, check out www.bismusic.com ggeneral@bismusic.artex.cu / www.myspace.com/giraldopilotoklimax

For his CD review please go to CD review page.