Giraldo Piloto Baretto, Cuban percussionist, composer, arranger, and musical director. Director of Klimax, a renowned Cuban musical group. Giraldo comes from a family of musicians. His father, Giraldo Piloto, was a brilliant Cuban composer who shared songs like “Añorado encuentro” with Alberto Vera, and his mother, a choral singing teacher. His uncle, Guillermo Baretto, is also a percussionist and one of Cuba’s greatest drummers. The latter’s style and playing, according to Piloto himself, constitute the fundamental influence and foundation of his music.

Giraldo Piloto enrolled in 1973 at the National School of Art (120th Street between 9th and 13th, Cubanacán, Playa, Havana) in percussion, a center where he completed his musical studies, which he completed in 1980. He began his career as a professional musician, working as a percussionist for the Tropicana cabaret orchestra (4504 72nd Street, Marianao, Havana). It was there that he met José Luis Cortés, known as El Tosco, with whom he went on to work in his orchestra, NG, the pioneering band of Cuban Timba, in 1988.

In this orchestra, Giraldo achieved his greatest potential as a musician, also working as a composer and arranger. Many of his songs were placed on national radio as hit parades. During this period, he composed songs for singer Isaac Delgado, which are included on the album Dando la hora, and three of them became major hits on Cuban radio and television.

In 1992, Giraldo left NG la Banda and joined Delgado’s group, taking over as musical director. His brilliant work as a composer placed singer Isaac Delgado and his orchestra at the top of the Cuban public’s list for a period of three years, with songs such as “La profesor de Décimo Grado,” “Ella es un reloj,” “Si tu mirada matara,” and “No me mires a los ojos,” among others.

In 1995, Giraldo Piloto founded his own group, which he called Klimax, made up of talented musicians, graduates of Cuban art schools and others from other groups.

With Klimax, Giraldo performs a variety of Cuban and Caribbean musical genres. His music is a fusion of Cuban salsa and jazz, exhibiting a jazzy accent perfectly fused with the distinctive timbero sound, an element that constitutes his identity and also makes him so unique.

Giraldo Piloto and his orchestra have released several albums. Among them, Juego de Manos, his second album, stands out. This album is very interesting in terms of musical genres, featuring jazz arrangements, romantic salsa, and contemporary son. Another notable production by Giraldo Piloto and Klimax is Nadie se parece (Nobody Seems Like It), which managed to place among the five best-selling albums of the EGREM (Spanish Association of Musicians).

His compositions are primarily aimed at dancers. The lyrics of Piloto’s songs are fresh, witty, and address issues related to everyday Cuban life. Many of them also feature the characteristic humor of all Cubans. Among them, it’s worth mentioning: La permuta (The Swap), Salir de conquista (Salir de conquista), and La licencia (The License Plate).

Many of his compositions are featured in the discography of numerous Cuban and international groups. This is particularly true in the case of the song “Me Sube la Fiebre” (My Fever Rises), the first hit for David Calzado’s renowned Charanga Habanera.

Giraldo’s work has not been limited to composing and directing Klimax. Since 1994, he has also become a music producer, producing his first album, Con Ganas, for which he received the EGREM award that year. He shared the production of the album with the well-known Gonzalo Rubalcaba, known as Ronzalito.

Giraldo Piloto’s music has been praised by many specialized critics. Frank Padrón said of him: “His music employs complex phrases, clusters, and strange chords. His lyrics are literally perfectionist, surpassing the standard as a style. A work that is appreciated more by the listener than by the dancer.”

She has shared the stage with great figures of Cuban music, including maestro Chucho Valdés. Her discography has also featured Omara Portuondo, Pablo Milanés, Chucho Valdés, Haydée Milanés, and Tania Pantoja, among others.

Currently, this renowned Cuban musician is responsible for organizing the annual Drum Festival, a percussion event held in Cuba. He is also the president of the event and the jury.

Giraldo Piloto is an unparalleled musician. His work makes Cuban music shine brighter and brighter on every stage he performs with his group.

Discography: Look if you like it (1996), Hand Game (1997), Hear how it goes (1999), Only you and me (2008).