“Anne Paceo impressed me immensely with her talent, musicality, and dedication to her art form. Her distinct style and unique sound make her one of a kind.” – Charlie Haden
Anne Paceo is a trailblazing drummer, prolific composer, and bandleader, celebrated for her singular style, instantly recognizable from the first few notes. Her achievements include a nomination as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (2021), three Victoires de la Musique (French Grammys), and a rich discography of 7 albums and 3 EPs.
A World of Rhythm and Exploration
Anne’s music embodies breaking barriers—both rhythmic and geographical. She has traveled to more than 40 countries, absorbing cultures and sounds to craft a unique sonic palette.
Her journey began in Daloa, Ivory Coast, where, as a child, she was surrounded by percussionists practicing near her family’s home. At age 10, she discovered the drums, which became her refuge. By 13, after moving to Paris, she fell in love with jazz, a genre she saw as a symbol of freedom, connection, and creativity without boundaries.
Education and Early Success
Anne studied drums, composition, and jazz at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris under Dré Pallemaerts and Riccardo Del Fra, and also attended the American School of Modern Music, where she solidified her foundational skills and explored her creative voice. She was chosen to represent the Conservatoire at the International Association for Jazz Education (IAJE) in New York and had the honor of performing with the legendary Michel Legrand.
In 2008, she released her debut album “Triphase”, followed by “Empreintes” in 2010. These trio recordings earned her the Django d’Or “New Talent” Award (2009) and the Victoires du Jazz “Revelation” (2011). Her trio toured globally, performing in Chile, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam, and many more.
Groundbreaking Projects and Global Recognition
•2012: Released “Yôkai”, inspired by Japanese animist culture, showcasing her independence as a composer.
•2016: With “Circles”, she fused jazz, pop, electronic, and world music, earning her second Victoires du Jazz as Artist of the Year. The group performed at iconic festivals like Jazz in Marciac and the Winter Jazz Festival in New York.
•2016: Premiered “Fables of Shwedagon”, blending traditional Burmese music with European improvisation.
Her ninth album, “S.H.A.M.A.N.E.S” (2022), was released under her own label Jusqu’à La Nuit, earning widespread acclaim from Libération, Le Monde, Télérama, and international platforms.
Mentorship and Multidisciplinary Creations
Anne is committed to nurturing new talent. She mentors young female jazz instrumentalists through “WIZZ”, a project designed to empower women in music. She also explores cross-disciplinary projects, including:
•“Nanouk l’esquimau”: A cine-concert featuring her original score.
•“Breath and Whisper”: A collaboration with a 100-person amateur choir.
•“Melting Three”: A blend of jazz and hip-hop with choreographer Mickael Le Mer.
Her song “Sunshine” was selected by Kurt Elling for his tour “Apparition Bridge”, alongside works by Joe Zawinul, Jan Garbarek, and Michel Legrand.
“Anne Paceo impressed me immensely with her talent, musicality, and dedication to her art form. Her distinct style and unique sound make her one of a kind.” Charlie Haden
Anne Paceo is a trailblazing drummer, prolific composer, and bandleader, celebrated for her singular style, instantly recognizable from the first few notes. Her achievements include a nomination as Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres (2021), three Victoires de la Musique (French Grammys), and a rich discography of 7 albums and 3 EPs.
A World of Rhythm and Exploration
Anne’s music embodies breaking barriers—both rhythmic and geographical. She has traveled to more than 40 countries, absorbing cultures and sounds to craft a unique sonic palette.
Her journey began in Daloa, Ivory Coast, where, as a child, she was surrounded by percussionists practicing near her family’s home. At age 10, she discovered the drums, which became her refuge. By 13, after moving to Paris, she fell in love with jazz, a genre she saw as a symbol of freedom, connection, and creativity without boundaries.
Education and Early Success
Anne studied drums, composition, and jazz at the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique de Paris under Dré Pallemaerts and Riccardo Del Fra, and also attended the American School of Modern Music, where she deepened her foundation. She represented the Conservatoire at the IAJE in New York and performed alongside the legendary Michel Legrand.
In 2008, she released her debut album “Triphase”, followed by “Empreintes” in 2010. These trio recordings earned her the Django d’Or “New Talent” Award (2009) and the Victoires du Jazz “Revelation” (2011). Her trio toured globally, performing in Chile, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Vietnam, and many more.
Groundbreaking Projects and Global Recognition
•2012: Released “Yôkai”, inspired by Japanese animist culture, showcasing her independence as a composer.
•2016: With “Circles”, she fused jazz, pop, electronic, and world music, earning her second Victoires du Jazz as Artist of the Year. The group performed at iconic festivals like Jazz in Marciac and the Winter Jazz Festival in New York.
•2016: Premiered “Fables of Shwedagon”, blending traditional Burmese music with European improvisation.
Her ninth album, “S.H.A.M.A.N.E.S” (2022), was released under her own label Jusqu’à La Nuit, earning widespread acclaim from Libération, Le Monde, Télérama, and international platforms.
Mentorship and Multidisciplinary Creations
Anne is committed to nurturing new talent. She mentors young female jazz instrumentalists through “WIZZ”, a project designed to empower women in music. She also explores cross-disciplinary projects, including:
•“Nanouk l’esquimau”: A cine-concert featuring her original score.
•“Breath and Whisper”: A collaboration with a 100-person amateur choir.
•“Melting Three”: A blend of jazz and hip-hop with choreographer Mickael Le Mer.
Her song “Sunshine” was selected by Kurt Elling for his tour “Apparition Bridge”, alongside works by Joe Zawinul, Jan Garbarek, and Michel Legrand.
