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?
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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.
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¿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
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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.
©
Interview by Angie Parkinson,
September 28, 2009
