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The teaching staff

The American School of Modern Music stands out from other French music schools by its commitment to providing an exceptional teaching staff, chosen for their connections with the United States, but most importantly for their status as professional, renowned musicians who are active in the music world.

Thomas Billon

Guitarist / Composer

Administrative and Financial Director of the American School of Modern Music, Thomas Billon holds a DEM in Jazz Music Education, graduated (Cum Laude) from the American School of Modern Music in guitar, and is an engineering graduate from Télécom. He applies his skills to ensure the smooth operation of the school: development of institutional partnerships, management, and teaching.

Leïla Olivesi

Pianist / Composer / Director

Leïla Olivesi, recipient of the 2022 Django Reinhardt Award, is a French jazz composer and pianist. Her acclaimed album ASTRAL earned top accolades, and she has collaborated with artists like David Binney and Manu Codjia. Currently Vice President of La Maison du Duke, she is also a speaker on jazz and Duke Ellington.

Raphaël Pannier

Drummer / Composer

Raphaël Pannier, Paris-born drummer and composer, studied at the American School of Modern Music, Berklee College of Music, and the Manhattan School of Music. His debut album, Faune (2020), featuring Miguel Zenón, earned international acclaim, including “Best Debut Album 2020” by NPR. Known for blending jazz with diverse influences, his 2023 album Letter to a Friend explored jazz-electronic fusion. Now based in Paris, Raphaël collaborates with top artists like Biréli Lagrène and Thomas Enhco and teaches at the American School of Modern Music.

Denis Guivarc’h

Saxophonist / Composer / Arranger

Denis Guivarc’h collaborated with Magic Malik for 20 years, producing 7 albums and performing at prestigious festivals such as Marciac and the North Sea Jazz Festival. He has also worked with renowned artists like Paco Séry, Steve Coleman, and Baptiste Trotignon.

Lou Tavano

SInger / Author

Lou Tavano, a graduate of the American School of Modern Music, is a renowned French jazz vocalist celebrated for her unique voice and emotional performances. Blending multiple languages in her music, she gained international recognition with her debut album For You (ACT Music, 2016), praised for its originality and depth.

Guillaume Estace

CEO / Guitarist / Composer

Born in Normandy, Guillaume Estace moved to Paris in 2001 to study at the American School of Modern Music, where he deepened his expertise in guitar, improvisation, harmony, composition, and orchestration. After receiving the Pierre Aguiton Scholarship from the General Council of La Manche and a World Scholarship Tour grant from Berklee College of Music, Guillaume relocated to the United States. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee in 2009. During his time in Boston, he had the privilege of working with some of the most distinguished professors in the U.S., including Mick Goodrick, Tim Miller, and David Gilmore.

Cédric Hanriot

Pianist / Composer / Producer

Cédric Hanriot is a pianist, composer, and producer known for his work with Herbie Hancock and Terri Lyne Carrington. He contributed to Dianne Reeves’ Grammy-winning album “Beautiful Life” and blends jazz, classical, and hip-hop influences. His acclaimed 2022 album “Time is Color Vol.1” earned CHOC by Jazz Magazine and a spot in MOJO’s Top 10 Albums of the Year.

Alex Terrier

Saxophonist / Composer / Arranger

Alex Terrier, a graduate of the Berklee College of Music, is a Paris-born saxophonist and composer based in New York. Leading international ensembles like the Alex Terrier Quartet, he has performed globally and is acclaimed for his album Roundtrip. Passionate about jazz, he also teaches and composes for visual media.

Louis de Mieulle

Bassist / Composer

Louis de Mieulle, Paris-born and ASMM, CNSM, and Berklee College of Music graduate, is a versatile composer and musician. Known for his jazz fusion and progressive rock albums, he has collaborated with Matt Garstka (Animals as Leaders) and Casimir Liberski. As a sideman, he has worked with Lulu Gainsbourg, Jean-Michel Pilc, and others. Now back in Europe, he focuses on film scoring, electronic music (as Louison), and repetitive improvisation with Moonsüün.

Anthony Jambon

Guitariste / Compositeur

Anthony, born in 1990, is a versatile guitarist with a foundation in classical music and a passion for jazz and improvisation. A graduate of the CMDL (Didier Lockwood Music Center) with honors, he has studied under renowned guitarists such as Pierre Perchaud and Manu Codjia. Anthony collaborates with artists like Sly Johnson, Lisa Simone, and Mayra Andrade, showcasing his rich influences across diverse musical styles.

Jean-Philippe Viret

Contrebassiste / Compositeur

Jean-Philippe Viret, born in Saint-Quentin in 1959, is a renowned double bassist and composer. A co-founder of the Orchestre de Contrebasses, he performed with Stéphane Grappelli from 1989 to 1997 and later established the Trio Viret, which won Best Group at the Victoires de la Musique in 2011 and 2020 for their album Ivresse. He also leads the innovative ensembles 60% de Matière Grave and Supplément d’Âme, and collaborates widely across jazz, classical, and world music projects.

Nicolas Godefroy

Composer / Orchestrator / Guitarist

Nicolas J.C. Godefroy, award-winning composer and orchestrator, graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music. He has worked on films (The Tale of Desperaux, The Cold Light of Day) and series (Battlestar Galactica), composed for brands like Google and McDonald’s, and created music for the Asian Games and Jeremy Monteiro.

Master-classes

Kurt Rosenwinkel

Guitarist / Composer

Kurt Rosenwinkel is a leading American jazz guitarist and composer, celebrated for his innovative harmonic approach and influential style. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, his acclaimed albums like The Next Step and Star of Jupiter have shaped modern jazz. Rosenwinkel has collaborated with artists such as Brad Mehldau and Brian Blade, and he continues to inspire musicians through his label, Heartcore Records, and global masterclasses.

Logan Richardson

Saxophonist/Composer

Logan Richardson, born in Kansas City, trained under jazz legends like Jay McShann and Max Roach before studying at Berklee and The New School. By 21, he was performing with masters such as Jason Moran and Billy Hart. Known for his innovative saxophone style, Logan’s albums include Cerebral Flow (2006), Ethos (2009), and SHIFT (featuring Pat Metheny and Jason Moran). Now based in Paris, he is celebrated worldwide for his unique sound and compositional depth.

Edouard Brenneisen

Composer/Video-Games

Lionel Loueke

Guitarist / Composer

Lionel Loueke, a guitarist and vocalist from Benin, began playing guitar at 17 and studied at the American School of Modern Music, Berklee College, and the Thelonious Monk Institute. Praised by Herbie Hancock as a “musical painter,” he fuses African music and jazz into a unique style. A Blue Note artist, his acclaimed albums include Karibu and Mwaliko. Loueke has toured globally, including over 10 years with Hancock’s band, solidifying his place in contemporary jazz.

Kadinja

Metal/Djent band

Guillaume Estace

CEO / Guitarist / Composer

Born in Normandy, Guillaume Estace moved to Paris in 2001 to study at the American School of Modern Music, where he deepened his expertise in guitar, improvisation, harmony, composition, and orchestration. After receiving the Pierre Aguiton Scholarship from the General Council of La Manche and a World Scholarship Tour grant from Berklee College of Music, Guillaume relocated to the United States. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Berklee in 2009. During his time in Boston, he had the privilege of working with some of the most distinguished professors in the U.S., including Mick Goodrick, Tim Miller, and David Gilmore.

Stephane Wrembel

Guitarist/Composer

Maciek Lasserre

Saxophonist/Composer

Brad Thomas Ackley

Producer / Multi-Instrumentalist

Brad Thomas Ackley, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and songwriter, grew up in Southern California and studied at the Berklee College of Music. He collaborated with -M- (Matthieu Chedid) on the double-platinum album ÎL and joined his award-winning world tour. Known for creating innovative hybrid instruments like the Basstar, Brad’s work spans films, TV shows, and brands like Adidas and Renault, blending creativity and technology to push musical boundaries.

Chad Smith

Drummer / Red Hot Chili Peppers

Chad Smith, drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers since 1988, contributed to the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012. He is also a member of Chickenfoot and Bombastic Meatbats. Recognized as one of rock’s top drummers, he has collaborated with artists like Johnny Cash, Glenn Hughes, and John Fogerty. Smith is actively involved in charity work for young musicians and advocates for music education in U.S. public schools.

Steve Coleman

Composer / Saxophonist

Steve Coleman, a visionary saxophonist and composer, founded Steve Coleman and Five Elements in 1981, pioneering the M-Base concept of improvisation. Influenced by African traditions, ancient philosophies, and technology, he created groundbreaking works like Synovial Joints and Morphogenesis. A recipient of the MacArthur Fellowship (2014), Coleman continues to redefine contemporary jazz through innovation and cultural exploration.

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