Paolo Orlandi is a jazz drummer based in New York. Born into a musical family, Paolo received his first training in jazz at the International Academy of Music in Milan, Italy, where he met his mentor and friend, Tony Arco. When still in Milan, Paolo started working assiduously in the local scene, collaborating with musicians such as Franco Cerri, Marco Vaggi, Mauro Negri, Roberto Tarenzi, Antonio Zambrini and with the percussion ensemble Time Percussion. In 2003, he recorded his first CD with Franco Cerri.
In 2005, Paolo moved to New York City. Awarded with the Joel Scholarship, Paolo attended the City College of New York majoring in Jazz Studies. While at City College, he studied with John Patitucci, Nasheet Waits and Adam Cruz. Paolo graduated with Honors in May 2008, and decided to continue his academic experience at CCNY, where he is currently enrolled in the Master Program and where he is working as an adjunct lecturer and drums instructor. In November 2008, Paolo was invited to join the CCNY Jazz Faculty Ensemble, a band in which he has the opportunity to play with John Patitucci.
Since arriving in New York, Paolo has played at The Up and Over Jazz Cafè , Groove, 55bar, Jules, Cornelia Street Cafè, and Barbes. Paolo has played with Dave Liebman, Mike Holober, John Abercrombie, Ray Gallon, Jason Rigby, Scott Reeves, Antony Wonsey, Marco Panascia and others. Besides New York, Paolo has performed at the festivals of Umbria Jazz Winter, Berchidda, Nuoro Jazz, Varese, and CUNY Jazz Festival.