Growing up on the island of Santiago, Cape Verdean accordionist Joao Cerilo learned to play the traditional Creole music of the islands. While a young boy, Joao mastered the African influenced polyrhythms and improvisational call and response vocal styles of batuku and funana. An accordion based dance music, funana features infectious and driving dance rhythms, highlighted by vocal improvisations commenting on and criticizing conditions and events. Joao learned to play both ferinho—an iron bar used as a percussion instrument in funana—and the gaita—a diatonic accordion. Joao studied music in Portugal before emigrating to the United States in 1982, becoming a respected and celebrated musician in New England's significant Cape Verdean communities.

As leader of the band, Pilon Batuku, Joao has taken the music of Santiago around the world, playing both the traditional rhythmic variants of funana as well as African popular styles including drums, guitar, and bass. Even as electronic drums and synthesizers have been used in contemporary fusion funana styles, Pilon Batuku and many Cape Verdeans remain committed to the ferinho and gaita. Pilon Batuku also highlight funana's integral role as dance music, including dancers as core members of the ensemble. Audiences follow suit as the upbeat and beatific sounds Joao Cerilo and Pilon Batuku pull them out of their seats and onto their feet.