Jean Pacalet was a renowned French accordionist and composer, born on October 10, 1951, in Chambéry, France. He spent his early years in Brazzaville, Congo, before receiving formal musical training in Chambéry, Paris, and Moscow. Pacalet began his music education in 1963, focusing on music theory and the accordion. He gained recognition early in his career by winning the prestigious Accordion Competition in Paris in 1974, awarded by the President of the Republic.

In 1979, Pacalet furthered his studies in composition and accordion at the Gnessin Institute in Moscow. He made significant contributions to the accordion repertoire, including a gramophone recording of Vladislav Zolotarev's complete works in 1983. The following year, he collaborated with the Italian company PIGINI to design a novel concert accordion.

Pacalet's career was marked by numerous performances and collaborations. In 1986, he performed Jean Wiener's "Concerto for Accordion" with the Orchestra du Capitole in Toulouse. His compositions were recorded and performed widely, including the premiere of his "Concerto for Two Accordions" in Chartres in 1989 and his stage music for various theatrical productions.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Pacalet toured extensively, performing solo and with other artists such as Barbara Thalheim. His works were celebrated for their innovation and depth, earning him several awards, including the Prize of the German Record Critics and the Coup de Coeur award.

Jean Pacalet passed away on July 7, 2011, in Berlin, Germany, leaving behind a rich legacy of compositions and recordings that continue to influence the world of accordion music.