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Paulo Baldi
Paulo Baldi
Paulo Baldi
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Key Information

Paulo Baldi is an American drummer and percussionist best known as a former member of the band CAKE. Baldi currently plays with The Claypool Lennon Delirium consisting of Sean Lennon and Primus' Les Claypool. Other bands Baldi has worked with include Les Claypool's Fancy Band, Deadweight, The Faraway Brothers, The Eric McFadden Trio and world music artist Ali Khan.[1]

CAKE

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In 2004, Baldi drummed on two songs for the alternative rock band Cake, "No Phone" and "Carbon Monoxide," both of which appeared on the band's fifth studio album, Pressure Chief. Baldi formally joined shortly after and drummed on their B-Sides and Rarities album as well as 2011's Showroom of Compassion. Baldi left the band in Fall 2015.

Equipment

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Baldi endorses Ludwig drums, Evans drumheads, Istanbul Agop cymbals, and Promark drumsticks.

Selected discography

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References

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Paulo Baldi

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Paulo Baldi is an American drummer and percussionist from the , renowned for his versatile playing style and long-standing collaborations in and . He gained prominence as the drummer for the band from 2003 to 2015, contributing to albums including Pressure Chief (2004) and (2011), and has served as the drummer for since 2015, appearing on their albums (2016) and (2019). Baldi's career began in the mid-1990s with Bay Area bands such as Deadweight (a prog-punk group), Faraway Brothers, EMT (heavy rock), Liar, and Alien Lovestock. A multi-percussionist with expertise in Indian, , and , he lived in from 1999 to 2013 and recorded with the Ali Khan family using instruments like , doumbek, and conga. Since 2001, he has been a key collaborator with bassist , participating in projects like the Fancy Band and the Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, which involved extensive U.S. and international touring. Throughout his career, Baldi has made notable television appearances on shows including The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Jimmy Kimmel Live, and he has been featured in DRUM! Magazine for his dynamic percussion work. As a sought-after session musician, he endorses Istanbul cymbals, including their Traditional, OM, Signature, and Mel Lewis series, reflecting his broad stylistic range across genres.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Paulo Baldi was born in September 1972. As a teenager, Baldi lived in three different states—Colorado, , and Washington—and attended four high schools. Joining the at each school helped him connect socially and adapt to frequent relocations.

Musical education and early influences

Baldi's musical education was largely self-directed, beginning in the mid-1990s with local bands in the American Southwest, where he honed his drumming skills through practical experience. He performed with groups like Liar and Alien Lovestock, which incorporated regional influences from green chile-inspired and southwestern rock styles, representing his initial shift from amateur to semi-professional percussion work. After relocating to the in the early 1990s, Baldi deepened his engagement with diverse percussion traditions, focusing on genres such as Indian, Arabic, and Latin rhythms. This period marked a key phase of his development, as he collaborated extensively with the Ali Khan family on recordings starting in the late 1990s, learning and performing on instruments including the , doumbek, and conga, which broadened his technical versatility beyond rock drumming. His early influences encompassed and prog-punk elements from the Bay Area scene, evident in his role with the band Deadweight, alongside emerging interests in global percussion that informed his adaptive, multi-genre approach to rhythm. These experiences in the laid the foundation for his later professional collaborations, emphasizing rhythmic complexity drawn from cultural fusions rather than conventional academic training.

Professional career

Early collaborations and San Francisco scene

Baldi began his professional drumming career in 1996 after relocating from to , where he quickly immersed himself in the city's dynamic music scene as an influential percussionist. During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Baldi established himself in the Bay Area through his role as drummer and percussionist for the rock band Deadweight, a -based trio that released the album Stroking the Moon in 2002 and toured with acts like Les Claypool's Frog Brigade. He also contributed drums to The Faraway Brothers during this period, appearing on their debut album Start the Engine & Drive Away in 1999, blending rock with eclectic influences in the local network. Additionally, Baldi played in Bay Area bands Liar and Alien Lovestock in the mid-1990s. Baldi further expanded his collaborations in the early 2000s with the Trio, serving as drummer alongside bassist James Whiton on tours from approximately 2004 to 2010 and their album Delicate Thing. From 1999 to 2013, he performed and recorded with world music ensemble Ali Khan, incorporating percussion elements from Indian, Arabic, and Latin traditions, including contributions to Shafqat Ali Khan's Sublime Sufi (2003). These projects solidified Baldi's reputation as a multi-percussionist adept in and global genres within the ecosystem.

Tenure with CAKE

Paulo Baldi first contributed to as a guest drummer on two tracks from their 2004 album : "No Phone" and "." These appearances marked his initial collaboration with the Sacramento-based band, building on his experience in the music scene. Following CAKE's 2004 tour, Baldi formally joined the band as their drummer, replacing Pete McNeal. His first official release with the group was the 2007 compilation B-Sides and Rarities, where he performed drums on tracks 4 ("Ruby, Don't Take Your Love to Town"), 10 ("" [Live]), and 11 ("Meanwhile, ..."). This collection of outtakes and live recordings solidified his role in the band's evolving lineup. Baldi became a full-time member for CAKE's sixth studio album, , released in January 2011 on the band's independent label Upbeat Records. The album was recorded over several years at the band's solar-powered Upbeat Studio in , with Baldi handling primary drumming duties alongside occasional contributions from other percussionists like Aaron Redfield and Tom Monson. In support of the release, CAKE embarked on an extensive tour, including multi-night stands in major cities and appearances on national television, showcasing Baldi's precise, groove-oriented style that complemented the band's eclectic sound. Baldi's tenure with CAKE concluded in fall 2015, when he departed alongside bassist Gabe Nelson, ending an 11-year association that defined the band's alternative rock era during the 2000s and early 2010s.

Work with Les Claypool projects

Paulo Baldi joined Les Claypool's musical circle in the early 2000s, first serving as the drummer for Colonel Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade during their 2003 tour. These live outings emphasized the band's experimental ethos, featuring extended improvisations, funk-driven grooves, and a mix of Claypool's solo material from Purple Onion alongside covers like David Bowie's "Let's Dance." Baldi's solid, versatile drumming provided the rhythmic foundation for the ensemble's jam-oriented performances at venues across North America, including Tipitina's in New Orleans and the Vic Theatre in Chicago. By 2006, Baldi had transitioned to Les Claypool's Fancy Band, replacing longtime collaborator on drums for a national tour supporting Claypool's solo album . The lineup—Claypool on bass and vocals, on , Mike Dillon on percussion and , and Baldi—delved into improvisational funk-rock, performing originals such as "Long in the Tooth" and "Rumble of the Diesel" with eclectic flair, often incorporating elements of and . Baldi's precise yet dynamic style complemented the band's loose, exploratory energy, earning praise for its mastery in adapting to Claypool's unconventional compositions. The Fancy Band's 2006 tour was captured in the 2007 live DVD Fancy, a compilation of fan-recorded footage edited into a full experience that highlights Baldi's contributions to the group's high-energy sets. Released on Prawn Song Records, the DVD features performances from shows in and beyond, underscoring the band's emphasis on live spontaneity over studio recordings. A follow-up tour promoted the release, with appearances at major festivals like Bonnaroo and the All Good Festival, where Baldi drove the rhythm section through medleys and extended jams. These collaborations marked a key phase in Baldi's career, bridging his earlier explorations—such as percussion work on Ali Khan's Taswir (1999)—with Claypool's rock experimentation, infusing the projects with diverse rhythmic textures from global traditions. By the late , Baldi's longstanding partnership with Claypool, spanning over seven years by , had solidified through these improvisational, funk-influenced endeavors.

Later career and current activities

Formation of The Claypool Lennon Delirium

The Claypool Lennon Delirium was formed in 2015 as a collaborative project between bassist and vocalist Les Claypool of Primus and multi-instrumentalist Sean Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The band's inception stemmed from a 2015 tour where Lennon's group, Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, opened for Primus, leading to onstage jams that sparked their creative chemistry. Shortly after drummer Paulo Baldi departed CAKE in fall 2015, he joined the lineup, having been recruited by Claypool following a Black Sabbath concert that year; Baldi's prior work with Claypool in projects like the Fancy Band served as a natural precursor to this supergroup. Keyboardist Pete Drungle rounded out the core touring ensemble, blending Claypool's funk-metal roots with Lennon's psychedelic inclinations. The band quickly entered the studio in , recording their debut album, , over six weeks in fall 2015, with Baldi providing percussion throughout. Released on June 3, 2016, via , the album drew influences from Syd Barrett-era , featuring swirling psych-rock arrangements and themes of cosmic exploration. Baldi's dynamic drumming added rhythmic propulsion to tracks like "Thela Hun Ginjeet," a cover, and originals such as "Bubbles Burst." Their follow-up, , arrived on February 22, 2019, expanding on these elements with more orchestral textures; Baldi contributed drums to key songs including " Realm" and "Easily Charmed by Fools," enhancing the album's depth and satirical lyrics on American society. An EP, , was issued in 2017 as a bridge, featuring live and studio cuts with Baldi's percussive flair. In support of their releases, embarked on extensive tours, including a 2016 North American run promoting and subsequent outings in 2018–2019 for , often performing at venues like the and . Live shows emphasized the band's psychedelic and ethos, with extended improvisations, visual projections, and seamless blends of Claypool's upright bass grooves and Lennon's guitar effects, backed by Baldi's versatile, groove-oriented drumming that bridged funk and experimental realms. Captured in full sets and broadcasts, these performances highlighted the quartet's onstage synergy, drawing crowds with sets mixing originals and covers like Pink Floyd's "." As of November 2025, The Claypool Lennon Delirium remains Baldi's primary musical outlet, with the band actively preparing new material. In a June 2023 interview, Claypool revealed they were halfway through recording a third studio album, building on their established sound with fresh contributions from Baldi on percussion. No release date has been announced by November 2025, but recent discussions indicate ongoing sessions and potential touring plans, underscoring the project's enduring appeal in the progressive psych-rock landscape.

Other musical contributions and world music explorations

Beyond his established roles in major ensembles, Paulo Baldi has pursued diverse explorations in , particularly during his residency in from 1999 to 2013, where he performed and recorded as a multi-percussionist incorporating Indian, , and Latin styles. These experiences honed his versatility across global rhythmic traditions, blending them into experimental contexts that emphasized percussive and cultural fusion. Building on this foundation, Baldi's work from 2015 onward has evolved to integrate these influences into alternative and psychedelic frameworks, maintaining his identity as a multi-percussionist adaptable to non-Western scales and polyrhythms. Baldi's guest appearances and one-off collaborations outside his primary commitments include notable session work with guitarist in projects like the Eric McFadden Trio, where he contributed drums to heavy rock infused with and Middle Eastern elements during live performances in the early . Additional festival gigs featured Baldi with the Faraway Brothers, an informal bar-band collective including McFadden, performing covers and originals with Latin-tinged grooves at Bay Area venues in the late and early . In recent years, Baldi has continued sporadic session contributions, such as drumming on the 2024 debut solo album Chasing the Sun by UCSF dermatologist and musician Michael Rosenblum (performing as PrettyBoy Chance), adding percussive depth to tracks blending and experimental sounds. In 2025, he performed with the supergroup Sgt. Splendor, featuring and Kate Vargas, including at the Sunset Concert Series on June 22. While no dedicated solo percussion projects are documented, his ongoing multi-percussionist approach—evident in brief stints like his role in —reflects a sustained commitment to global and alternative rhythmic innovation without formal instructional roles.

Musical style and equipment

Drumming technique and influences

Paulo Baldi's drumming technique seamlessly blends the precision and drive of with the intricate rhythms of , particularly incorporating polyrhythms inspired by Latin, Arabic, and Indian traditions. As a multi-percussionist, he employs congas, doumbeks, and tablas to add layered textures, allowing him to navigate complex grooves that enhance both structured compositions and spontaneous performances. This versatility stems from his hands-on experience in San Francisco's diverse music scene from 1999 to 2013, where he delved into global percussion styles. Active as a professional since the mid-1990s, Baldi first gained prominence in the prog-punk band Deadweight, where his rhythmic complexity and adaptability laid the foundation for his career. His influences draw heavily from global percussionists, notably through collaborations with the Ali Khan family, which exposed him to and doumbek techniques that informed his polyrhythmic approach. These elements shaped a playing style capable of shifting between tight, rock-oriented precision—as heard in his tenure with —and more fluid, exploratory patterns in psychedelic contexts. Baldi's work spans , , and , with improvisational flair evident in live settings such as Les Claypool's Fearless Flying Frog Brigade, where he engages in extended jams that highlight his dynamic responsiveness. Critics and collaborators praise his ability to reconcile blistering rock energy with nuanced sensitivity, earning him a reputation as one of the Area's most sought-after drummers for high-profile projects.

Endorsements and setup details

Baldi serves as an official endorser for , which form the core of his primary kit for both live tours and studio recordings. He favors the Classic Maple series for its versatile tonality and projection, often employing configurations suited to rock and experimental ensembles. In addition to Ludwig, Baldi endorses Evans drumheads for their durability and tonal consistency across various playing dynamics, for their warm, expressive qualities, and Promark drumsticks for reliable grip and balance. His cymbal setup with Agop includes the Mel Lewis Signature 19" Crash Ride for defined stick articulation and dry crash effects, paired with Traditional Series models such as 15" Medium Hi-Hats for full-bodied warmth, a 21" Original Ride for thin, articulate response, and a 17" Medium Crash for versatile projection—configurations primarily used in live performances with . Baldi's setup has evolved from the more straightforward rock-oriented configurations during his tenure with to more expansive arrangements in his later projects, incorporating subtle custom modifications like adjusted tensioning on Evans heads to accommodate eclectic rhythms in psychedelic and experimental contexts.

Discography

Solo and collaborative recordings

Paulo Baldi has contributed percussion and drums to several projects, notably on the 1999 Taswir by Ali Khan, where he provided drums and percussion on the track "Jive Lal," blending Western rhythms with traditions alongside vocalist Sukhawat Ali Khan and player Rahiz Khan. This collaboration reflects Baldi's early involvement in recordings, drawing from his scene explorations in global sounds. Earlier in his career, Baldi drummed on Liar's Gone Too Far (1998) and provided drums and percussion on Alien Lovestock's We Are Prepared to Offer You (1997) and Planet of the Fish (2000), showcasing his work in the Bay Area's alternative and experimental scenes. Baldi lent percussion and vocals to the experimental rock outfit Deadweight's Half-wit Anthems (2000), a San Francisco-based project led by violinist Benjamin Barnes and cellist Sam Bass, infusing the album's string-heavy arrangements with rhythmic intensity on tracks like "The Grind" and "Sweet Depression." Similarly, he drummed on Eric McFadden's Our Revels Now Are Ended (1999), adding propulsion to the orchestral and introspective soundscapes. In the mid-2000s, Baldi participated in session work with guitarist , appearing on the Eric McFadden Trio's Joy of Suffering (2005), where he handled drum duties across multiple tracks in a fusion of rock, , and improvisational elements with James Whiton. He followed this with contributions to the trio's Delicate Thing (2008), drumming on tracks 5 ("Catch a Liar") and 8 ("One Bad Reason"), enhancing the album's eclectic mix of guitar-driven compositions featuring guests like Mike Watt on bass. Baldi contributed drums to Les Claypool's Of Fungi and Foe (2009), a solo project blending , and experimental elements. These non-band recordings from the late 1990s to highlight Baldi's versatility in smaller-scale collaborations, though no solo percussion releases or instructional materials have been documented in his discography through 2025.

Selected band appearances

Paulo Baldi contributed drums to select tracks on CAKE's (2004), including "No Phone" and "Carbon Monoxide." He also played drums on tracks 4, 10, and 11 of the compilation B-Sides and Rarities (2007). Baldi served as the primary for CAKE's sixth studio album (2011), providing drum performances alongside additional session drummers. As the drummer for Les Claypool's Fancy Band during their 2006 tour, Baldi appears on the live concert DVD Fancy (2007), which captures performances supporting Claypool's solo album . In other projects, Baldi contributed drums, congas, and backing vocals to the Faraway Brothers' debut album Start the Engine & Drive Away (2005). Baldi has been the touring and recording drummer for since 2015, providing drums on their albums (2016), (2017), and select tracks of their second studio album (2019), including "Boriska," "Amethyst Realm," and "Ask Your Doctor."

References

  1. https://istanbulcymbals.com/artists/3418/paulo-baldi.html
  2. https://rvm.pm/les-claypool-leads-fancy-band-to-illinois-2007/
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  4. https://www.fastpeoplesearch.com/paulo-baldi_id_G5860871369865056839
  5. https://halftimemag.com/noteworthy/cake-contest-the-federal-funding-march.html
  6. https://www.heraldtimesonline.com/story/lifestyle/2014/10/06/3-powerful-reasons-why-your-kids-should-take-music-lessons/117559226/
  7. https://drummerszone.com/artists/paulo-baldi/13802/profile/
  8. https://www.ludwig-drums.eu/artists/paulo-baldi
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  11. https://ericmcfadden.com/about
  12. https://www.summitdaily.com/news/eric-mcfadden-trio-takes-rock-to-the-limit/
  13. https://www.discogs.com/release/14126860-Shafqat-Ali-Khan-Sublime-Sufi-New-Perspective-On-Ancient-Sufi-Roots
  14. https://musicbrainz.org/release/807a9fe3-bffa-46f7-8ceb-aebdd73f37e7
  15. https://musicbrainz.org/release/6245ee90-2c90-462c-9809-ac02991d68f6
  16. https://musicbrainz.org/release/f26ac5d0-2432-47ea-be20-54035e031344
  17. https://www.discogs.com/release/3101613-Cake-Showroom-Of-Compassion
  18. https://magnetmagazine.com/2011/01/10/qa-with-cake/
  19. https://www.furious.com/perfect/cake.html
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  21. https://blabbermouth.net/news/primus-les-claypool-to-release-fancy-concert-dvd
  22. https://www.seaoftranquility.org/reviews.php?op=showcontent&id=5281/1000
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  27. https://www.discogs.com/release/2029643-Ali-Khan-Taswir
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  29. https://relix.com/articles/detail/of_crickets_and_genies_the_claypool_lennon_delirium/
  30. https://www.discogs.com/release/13244682-The-Claypool-Lennon-Delirium-South-Of-Reality
  31. https://www.pbs.org/video/the-claypool-lennon-delirium-live-at-house-of-blues-q76vgi/
  32. https://www.lpm.org/music/2023-06-11/les-claypool-this-band-was-born-out-of-desperation-and-fear
  33. https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2024/11/428826/ucsf-dermatologist-enlists-help-rock-stars-debut-solo-album
  34. https://www.sonomacounty.com/events/sunset-concert-series/
  35. https://www.telluridenews.com/the_watch/news/article_5a0825eb-9351-596c-a3b6-96c23dc5cf68.html
  36. https://first-avenue.com/performer/les-claypools-fearless-flying-frog-brigade/
  37. https://www.ludwig-drums.com/en-us/ludwig/artists/paulo-baldi
  38. https://www.discogs.com/release/13055683-Alien-Lovestock-We-Are-Prepared-To-Offer-You
  39. https://www.discogs.com/release/8129565-Alien-Lovestock-We-Are-Prepared-To-Offer-You
  40. https://www.discogs.com/master/683610-Deadweight-Half-wit-Anthems
  41. https://www.discogs.com/master/850030-Eric-McFadden-Trio-Joy-Of-Suffering
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  43. https://www.discogs.com/release/2009643-Les-Claypool-Of-Fungi-And-Foe
  44. https://www.discogs.com/release/30088206-Cake-Pressure-Chief
  45. https://www.discogs.com/release/2735545-Cake-B-sides-And-Rarities
  46. https://www.discogs.com/release/10000000-Les-Claypools-Fancy-Band-Fancy
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  49. https://www.discogs.com/master/11000000-The-Claypool-Lennon-Delirium-Monolith-Of-Phobos
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