|
|
|
Steel Drums / Steel Drummer
Profile Page:
 |
| Steel Drums / Steel Drummer |
| Location: |
Providence, RI |
| Telephone: |
401-578-5452 |
| Contact: |
Jose Costa |
|
|
| Description |
|
Jose Narcisco Costa
has performed as a percussionist for close to thirty years. On the local scene percussionist are not seen as much due to the expense of paying another band member in addition to the drummer. This coupled with the ability to add percussion through technology sequencers, drum machines etc... has pretty much watered down the visual and sound effect of live percussion, especially in local bands. Only in professional recordings or at the concert level is the vibrant sound of live percussion ever heard or seen. Nothing can take the place of a human being playing live percussion and the nuance it gives to the audience or the dance floor. You can create the sound of steel drums through an electric piano but it can never produce the same dynamics and sensation of a live steel drummer.
Jose Costa for the last three decades has performed primarily as a Conga/Timbale player along with the utilization of native Brazilian percussion instruments. In the 70’s when the jazz scene flourished he shared the stage with some of the local premier artist such as John Allmark, Greg Abate, Dan Moretti, Mike Renzi, Duke Belair, Rebecca Paris, and the late Art Pelosi, and many more. At that time there were not many musicians with expertise on Latin percussion instruments working in this New England area as there is now. The 1369 Jazz Club, Pauls Mall in Boston, Allary’s in Providence are the kind of jazz venues that don’t even exist anymore. They were the kinds of clubs that Jose played in with passion and excitement. Besides working in the Jazz scene Jose has done extensive work with Salsa, Latin Jazz, Brazilian Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, Reggae and Blues Bands. He made a guest appearance with Roomful of Blues at the Boston Opera House. It was a Grammy awards night and Roomful of Blues were one of the performers and Grammy winners. (video available upon request) In the late 70’s early 80’s he made a guest appearance with the legendary Junior Walker and the All Stars. He also sat in on the last tune of the night with Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, and Lionel Hampton. In the Reggae and Calypso genre he has worked with most of the local Veteran Reggae musicians and bands. He is also very acquainted with the legendary Lloyd Knibbs the original drummer with the Skatalites and who is historically credited with the inventing of the Reggae (one-drop) drum beat in the studios of Kingston, Jamaica during the 1960 's.
Jose Costa has also performed in many small duo and trio settings. He has given several percussion clinics to children at various venues and has performed with several Berkley School of Music faculty members. In theatre he performed with actor/playwright Ricardo Pitts Wiely and worked as a percussionist in plays such as Evita and West Side Story. Presently Jose Narciso Costa is enjoying a new venture working as a Steel Drum (pan) soloist. He uses a lead (soprano) pan and a set of double-seconds. Most of his performances are acoustic (without amplification). His music is a blend of Latin, Calypso, and Jazz Standards. Most people have commented on how authentic and refreshingly different it is to have dinner, cocktails, etc... with a such a unique sound and ambiance. This is a definite change from the mundane and typical jazz duos or guitar player/ singer soloist acts.
Spice up your establishment with some “Island Flava”. Animate you next event, cocktail hour, reception party, etc... with a sound that is rare and hard to find in this area. Jose Costa is presently working as an educator in the Providence School District and is available for spring break, summer tours, and New Years Eve parties.
Call (401) 578-5452 for bookings. CD demo available upon request.
http://www.myspace.com/josenarcisocosta
|
| Services Offered |
 | | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | - Picnic / Luncheon / BBQ's
|
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
Loading...
