Paolo Vinaccia

Prolific drummer, composer, and percussionist Paolo Vinaccia is an Italian musician who has lived and worked in Norway since 1979. After years of formal music study at various Italian schools and universities, he relocated to become the Jonas Fjeld Band's drummer. He remained with the group for three years before leaving to join the Oslo Rhythm n Blues Ensemble. Afterwards he played in a succession of groups with Jon Eberson, with vocalist Sidsel Endresen, and in a trio with bassist Bjørn Kjellemyr. His debut recording as a co-leader was the 1981 album Sami Ædnan with Mattis Hætta and Sverre Kjelsberg. Its title track was Norway's entrant in that year's Eurovision Song Contest. ~ Thom Jurek