Celso Paco Updated

Born in 1966 in Maputo, Mozambique. Multi-instrumentalist and dancer instructed at the old traditions in local schools and dance groups in Maputo since the age of 9. Sings, dances and plays a variety of traditional and comntemporary musical instruments such as timbila(marimba), kalimba/mbira(thumb-pianos), xitende(musical bow), xigovia(dry-hard-shel-fruit ocarina), xikitsi(rattle board), ngomas(drums), jews-harp, congas, bongos, small percussions and drum-set to a variety of musical vibes such as jazz, pop, funk, afro reggae, high-life and many more on big/small stages, theater places, clubs and festivals. In many occasions was guest artist at Mozambique’s National Song and Dance Company where he worked as drum instructor. With the same company, toured USA perfoming, conducting percussion workshops and accompanying dance classes. After some years of teaching “O” level in Portuguese Language decided to change in to percussion teacher. Majored in percussion at the Ethnomusicology Program offered by the Zimbabwe College of Music, by the Indiana University and by the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music, (1993 - 95).

He worked as drum teacher at the National School of Music and at the Swedish School in Maputo as well as at Prince Edward School in Harare. He was also the first drum teacher at the music department in the Eduardo Mondlane University, in Maputo.

As stage performer and workshop conductor toured in many occasions since 1987 Scandinavia, Africa, Europe, the United States and Australia . Back to school studies folk music and jazz at the royal college of music in Stockholm. In music and theater he was musician/part-composer for ”Sultanens Hemlighet” theater play at the Royal Dramatic Theater - KDT in Stockholm (2005/06).

He was also musical director/composer in “Nas teias de Maputo” musical by Henning Mankell at Teatro Avenida in Maputo. In film-music composed sound-track to “Dancing on the Edge” film by Karen Boswall, for Day Zero film & vídeo, 2001 and to “Berättelse vid Elden” children-film series for Swedish Educational Radio - UR, 2001. In story telling for children uses traditional songs and music instruments from Mozambique. He is a member of Swedish story telling group Berättarlabbet www.berattarlabbet.se

He is also an active member in groups such as Celso Paco & Dynamo De Luxe www.dynamodeluxe.com, Ageli www.ageli.se , Golbang, www.golbang.se, Tanganyika Sound www.tangasound.com, Amadu Jarr and the Highlife Orchestra. An active soloist and djembe player at “Mangfaldsmassa” a multicultural mass composed by Yamandu Pontvik .

He shared stage with Papa Wemba and Natacha Atlas at “Göteborgs Stadsteater Festival 2006, Youssou Ndour, Remi Ongala Rossi and many others at WOMAD 91, Tribut to Miles – (Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancok, Toni Williams, Ron Carter och Wallase Roonie) at the Skeppsholmen Jazz and Blues Festival, 92, with Hugh Masekela, Oliver Mutukudzi and the Art Ensemble of Chicago at the Chicago Jazz Festival, 2000; with Ale Möller & World Musik Ensemble at the Falun Folkmusik Festival, 2001.

Recorded live/studio with amoung others from Mozambique the group Ghorwane, album ”Majurugenta” at the Real World Studios of Peter Gabriel in England, 1991; with Pazedi, album ”Music from Moçambique” for Caprice Records, 2001; with band Tucan Tucan with brothers Frank Paco and Tony Paco album ”Xiluva” for Xiluva Music, 2003, with Mangafaldsmassa and many more.

Celso Paco recently played with Carlos Amado a musician from Sao Tome & Principe and with Bizy Kongo a band from Congo. All based in Stockholm.

Celso Paco Mob: 0762 366 581

celso_paco@yahoo.com