Very active on the French jazz scene, she plays as a sideman with Christian Escoudé, Rhoda Scott, China Moses, Bloody Mary, Dan Tepfer, Raphael Imbert, Alain Jean Marie, Stephane Kochoyan … and takes part in many festival around Europe. She has her own trio Triphase, with pianist Leonardo Montana and bassist Joan Eche-Puig.They all met at the CNSM in Paris ( National Conservatory ) as they were students. She released 2 CD with this trio (Triphase and Empreintes).
She will be at Tinos jazz festival with George Kontrafouris and Andreas Polyzogopoulos on August 28,2011.Anne and Andreas met at the European Youth Orchestra in 2010, and became really good friends. She met George Kontrafouris last January where all three where playing at the French Institute in Athens. They got along so well they decided to play again and make a recording together next winter.
Jazzonline have met her.
What lead you to jazz?
When I was a kid I was not interested at all in jazz. I was listening to rock and pop. I discovered this music when I arrived in Paris, I was around 13 years old. There was a small music school near my house, where they had jazz workshops.I started like this, but my passion really came a little later, during a seminar “Children of Jazz of Barcelonnette” where I follow master classes with Kenny Garrett, Dianne Reeves among others, and took intensive courses in drums, workshops, etc. … I really discovered the joy of playing and listenning to this music with others. Then I said “I want to become a jazz musician.”
Which jazz musicians had or have a great influence on you, and why?
Actually, every musician I listen to influence me in a certain way, whatever it is, jazz or African music, rock, or ethnic and world music. Andreas Polyzogopoulos, make me listen to Theodorou, and I loved it. I think it is important as a drummer to be open to “grooves” of other cultures.
But if we have to talk about a musician, Charlie Haden is really a personality who had a big influence on me, as a musician but also as a human being. Working with him was a great experience. I learn every time I play with musicians who have more experience than me, I think it is on stage we learn the most, and especially with those I call the “old” like Alain Jean-Marie, Rhoda Scott, Christian Escoudé, with whom I have the chance to play.
What do you think is your greatest success as a musician?
I think my greatest achievement is to have been able to make some of my dreams reality and to remain sincere in what I do.
A comment on Greek jazz musicians you know?
“I know two of them : Andreas Polyzogopoulos and George Kontrafouris
Andreas is one of my favorite trumpet player in Europe. He ‘s got a very sensitive approach to music, very melodic, poetic and often thrifty in the sense that his game is very minimalist and sometimes leaves much room for the group, the listening to each other.I also love the texture it brings to the music with all his effects pedals. George is quite an exceptional musician. What impressed me most about him is his energy, and how he get into music, always very sincere and enthusiastic. It’s very nice to play with a musician who exudes such a good energy. And as we say in our language he is a real “groover”.
What are your plan for the next months ?
This summer I will play at Tinos jazz festival with George and Andreas and we are planning to record a disc with this trio. I have my own trio and I play also as sidewoman with Christian Escoudé, Alain Jean-Marie, China Moses, Rhoda Scott, and I am also invited to participate in European projects in Germany or Norway. And I have the new quintet with which I will run this winter as well…
Interview by Patricia Graire – Aout 2011 – 
http://www.annepaceo.com
