“Paolo has always been a gifted, swinging, sensitive drummer and all around musician. He also possesses a brilliant mind and he is a great teacher.”
– John Patitucci
about me
Paolo Orlandi is an Italian jazz drummer, educator, and author with over two decades of international experience.
He has performed, toured, and recorded across Europe, the United States, and the Middle East, collaborating with artists including John Patitucci, Franco Cerri, Dado Moroni, Thierry Lang, Anthony Wonsey, Marco Panascia, Andrea Dulbecco, Ben Kraef, Peter Weniger, Robert Bonisolo, Ian Shaw, and Sharon Clark, among many others. He currently co-leads the North East Trio, with Slovenian pianist Gregor Ftičar, and the Italian quartet Voices, with Giovanni Ceccarelli, Andrea Dulbecco, and Salvatore Maiore.
His teaching career includes faculty positions at the City College of New York and the American University of Beirut, as well as the EMA – École de Musiques Actuelles and the Conservatoire Populaire de Genève. He is currently faculty at the Civici Corsi di Jazz di Milano.
Beyond the stage and classroom, Orlandi has built an active international presence through online education and social media, reaching a growing community of musicians and drummers worldwide. He is the author of The 3-5-7-9 Syncopation Book for the Musician and a contributor to Drumheads Magazine.
Projects
“You will never get bored with this range of compositions full of verve and energy,
especially as each of the musicians is technically well versed on his instrument.”
Concerto Magazine, issue February 1st 2024 – ****
Slovenian pianist Gregor Ftičar and Italian drummer Paolo Orlandi formed a jazz piano trio in Geneva. Joined by Hungarian bassist Matyas Szandai, they performed across Europe, captivating audiences with their original music and jazz standards arrangements.
Tragedy struck in 2023 with Szandai’s passing. Ftičar and Orlandi dedicated their debut album, recorded in 2022, to their friend and fellow musician, honouring his passion for jazz.
The trio currently features Stephan “Pišta” Bartus on bass.
Gregor Ftičar - piano
Mátyás Szandai - double bass
Paolo Orlandi - drums
Mixing Engineer: Renaud Millet-Lacombe
Mastering Engineer: Kai Blankenberg
Voices is a brand new band featuring some of the most established musicians of the Italian music scene.
Voices proposes a repertoire of original compositions by the four members of the group.
The music of Voices encompasses melodic lyricism, variety of timbre, contrapuntal episodes, all linked together by a strong and active listening on stage.
From jazz in its purest form, song writing, Brazilian influences, and even serial music, Voices is able to express a truly diverse universe of sounds and colors.
Andrea Dulbecco has toured the world as a classical contemporary vibraphonist also performing with equal success in the jazz scene
Giovanni Ceccarelli is a Grammy Nominated artist with extensive credits as a performer and producer
Salvatore Maiore has played on over fifty recordings with credits including legendary music label ECM
Paolo Orlandi has built his career in the US, playing drums with some of the most influential musicians in the jazz world.
Andrea Dulbecco - vibes
Giovanni Ceccarelli - piano
Salvatore Maiore - bass
Paolo Orlandi - drums
