Paulo Almeida is a Brazilian drummer, percussionist and composer based in Basel. Over the past decade he has established himself as a distinctive voice within Brazil’s instrumental music scene, combining Afro Brazilian rhythmic foundations with a highly melodic approach to the drum set. He began his musical studies in the state of São Paulo and later continued his education at the Conservatory of Tatuí, where he studied both classical and popular music and participated in numerous festivals. In 2019 and 2020 he was selected for the Focusyear Band program in Basel, led by Wolfgang Muthspiel, an experience that allowed him to study and perform alongside internationally recognised musicians.

As an instrumentalist, Almeida has performed at major festivals and jazz clubs worldwide and collaborated with artists including Hermeto Pascoal, Dhafer Youssef, Guillermo Klein, Lionel Loueke, Wolfgang Muthspiel, Jorge Rossy, Anat Cohen, Ralph Alessi, Filó Machado and Leny Andrade. Alongside his work as a bandleader, he teaches at the Jazzcampus Basel and remains active in a wide range of projects across Europe. His discography as a leader includes Constatações (2013), Corpo e Alma (2017), Parceria (2017), Unity – Live at Bird’s Eye Jazz Club (2020), and Oferenda (2023).