Dan Costa (musician)

Dan Costa
Costa in 2018
Costa in 2018
Background information
Born (1989-04-07) 7 April 1989
Westminster, London, England
Genres
Occupations
  • Pianist
  • composer
  • writer
  • educator
Websitedancosta.net

Daniel Greco Costa (born 7 April 1989) is a British, Italian, and Portuguese jazz/world music pianist and composer. He is known for his original work and for his collaborations with artists such as Randy Brecker, Ron Carter, John Patitucci, Mike Stern, Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Liebman, Ivan Lins, Bob Mintzer, Seamus Blake, Dave Douglas, Romero Lubambo, Leila Pinheiro, Marcos Suzano, Jaques Morelenbaum and Roberto Menescal.[1][2] His music has been featured by publications such as Rolling Stone and DownBeat, which considered his music "entrancing."[3] Costa has worked as an educator and writer as well.

Education

Costa was born in Westminster, London, to Italian and Portuguese parents from Sorrento and Porto respectively.[4][5][6]

He studied classical piano as well as jazz piano at the Académie de Musique Rainier III in Monaco for six years prior to taking a diploma at Sir Paul McCartney's Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in England. He then focused on jazz at the Escola Superior de Música, Artes e Espetáculo in Portugal, graduating with distinction and a Rotary Club Award for outstanding achievement. During his course, he was also awarded an Ibero-American grant to study Brazilian music at UNICAMP in São Paulo, Brazil as an international exchange student, focusing on both popular and classical composers.[7] He pursued further studies at Berklee College of Music with a merit scholarship.[8] Costa also has university degrees in philosophy, applied linguistics and history, having worked extensively as an educator in related fields.[9]

He has written about music and other fields for publications such as Oxford Research Encyclopedias.[10] In the article on tempo for Encyclopaedia Britannica, he covered classical, popular and world music genres, and referred to it as "the heartbeat of expression".[11][12]

Musical career

Costa's career took off when he recorded his debut album Suite Três Rios in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,[13][14] whose name and concept were inspired by the confluence of rivers in the Amazon as well as the country's rhythmic diversity.[15] It won a silver medal at the Global Music Awards and was considered one of the best albums of 2016 by DownBeat.[16][17][18] Critic Carlo Wolff praised Costa's melodic sensibility, concluding that "the thoroughly cosmopolitan, classically trained Costa has delivered a finely crafted album".[19] All About Jazz underlined the historical dimension of the album, stating that "Brazilian jazz, like its American counterpart, has fondly remembered its roots as it unabashedly moves forward."[20] The release was among the best-selling albums on the iTunes Portugal Chart, and peaked at number 5 on the Roots Music Report Jazz Chart in the United States,[21][22] while the track "Bossa Nova" (feat. Leila Pinheiro) was in the Top 10 on the Jazz Song Chart.[23] Costa collaborated with Jaques Morelenbaum, Leila Pinheiro, Marcos Suzano, Ricardo Silveira, Rafael Barata and Jan Erik Kongshaug, amongst others.[24][25]

He recorded his second album, Skyness, at Arte Suono, Italy, in 2018, featuring Nelson Faria, Roberto Menescal, Romero Lubambo, Seamus Blake, Custodio Castelo, Jorge Helder and Teco Cardoso. Former editor of the journal of the British Music Society Jonathan Woolf wrote that the album offered further evidence of Costa's "highly accomplished pianism and of the fruitful musical associations he has made", adding that it was "an enjoyable, life-affirming and finely recorded album."[26] Deemed "rare and luxurious" by All About Jazz,[2] it was released at the Blue Note in Rio de Janeiro[27] and was featured in a documentary by Radio Monte-Carlo in Milan, Italy.[28] World Music Report's Raul da Gama called Costa "deeply gifted", as the album displayed "some of the finest piano music you might ever hear."[29]

Costa took the album on a tour which included Italy, Portugal, Cyprus, Brazil, Malta, Spain, Turkey, Greece, Armenia, Lebanon and Egypt, where he was featured by Al-Arab, which considered his music a message of love and intercultural communication.[30] He also toured Northern India, where he was featured and interviewed by Rolling Stone,[31] while India Today in Delhi wrote that he "took the packed venue by storm."[32] During the tour, he did masterclasses at schools such as Berklee partner Global Music Institute.[31]

In 2020, Costa recorded "Love Dance" in Lisbon with one of the song's creators, Ivan Lins.[33] Jazziz Magazine wrote that the recording was "rich with feeling and understated virtuosity," adding that "the song is something of a modern standard, with definitive versions recorded by George Benson and Sarah Vaughan; this take surely belongs beside them."[1] Costa was interviewed by Rádio e Televisão de Portugal with bossa nova legend Roberto Menescal; they talked about their collaboration and the origins of the Brazilian style.[34] He released his first live and solo piano album, Live in California,[35][36] which was praised for "profound expression" by Jazziz Magazine[37] and came in second on Roots Music Report's Top Latin Jazz Album for the year of 2020 Chart.[38] Jonathan Woolf commended Costa for playing "in great style with just the right kind of clarity of articulation allied to sensitivity of purpose" and highlighted his lyricism, enveloping warmth and colour.[39]

In 2022, Costa rereleased the track "Iremia" as a message of peace, featuring trumpeter Randy Brecker.[40][41] According to Jazziz Magazine, "although they're separated by 44 years and thousands of miles, Costa and Brecker share a rapport that truly elicits the song's warmth and humanity."[42]

Costa recorded the album Beams in New York City with John Patitucci, Mike Stern, Dave Douglas, Hermeto Pascoal, Dave Liebman and other musicians.[43][44][45] It won a gold medal at the Global Music Awards.[46] In an interview with Musica Jazz, Costa talked about Beams as a celebration of light in physical and metaphysical forms, nature as a major source of inspiration and the use of harmonic colour to express life experiences.[47] In the liner notes, Randy Brecker praised the interactions between the musicians and the intricacy of the compositions, concluding that the album consists of "lovely, heartfelt emotional music".[44] Something Else Reviews writer Sammy Stein considered the album "a wonder, and a beautiful, peaceful listen",[43] while Culture Jazz writer Yves Dorison underlined its "extreme finesse."[48] All About Jazz stated that Beams displayed "some of the best atmospheric jazz you are likely to hear in 2023. Or any year."[49] His track about childhood, "Acalantando", was among the best of the year for Süddeutsche Zeitung.[50][51]

Costa toured Europe, Southeast Asia and Australasia, where he was featured by Otago Daily Times. He did masterclasses as a guest lecturer at institutions such as Mahidol University, Monash University, Australian National University, University of Auckland, and Victoria University of Wellington.[52]

In 2024, Costa took his music to Mexico, inviting local musicians to celebrate and interact with indigenous forms of expression. He also toured Europe, Southeast Asia and Australasia for the second time. In an interview with Otago Daily Times, he spoke of music as a message, and underlined its ability to raise awareness of animal welfare, peace and human rights. He recalled his collaborations on tour with world music instruments such as Indian sarod, Syrian vocals and Kazakh dombra, underlining his respect for local traditions.[53]

He did masterclasses at institutions such as Canadian International School (Singapore), University of New South Wales and Elizabeth College (Hobart), and was featured by media outlets such as Seven News, Berliner Zeitung and Bangkok Post.[51][54]

Considered "a voice for the voiceless", his track "Paw Prints" was used by global organisation Four Paws in support of animal welfare,[55][56] while "Encaminho" was named as one of the most popular jazz songs of 2024 by All About Jazz.[57]

During his tour of the British Isles in 2025, he was a guest lecturer at the Royal Academy of Music, the Royal Northern College of Music and the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, while his tour of Southeastern Europe included interviews for Radio Romania and Jazz FM 100.8 Skopje in North Macedonia.[58][59]

Costa's music has also been included in instructional material.[60]

Personal life

Costa has lived in eight countries and speaks eight languages.[61]

Discography

References

  1. 1 2 "Dan Costa and Ivan Lins: "Love Dance"". JAZZIZ Magazine. 5 May 2020. Archived from the original on 1 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  2. 1 2 "All About Jazz Music, Musicians, Bands & Albums". Allaboutjazz.com. Archived from the original on 13 February 2008. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  3. ↑ "DownBeat Reviews". downbeat.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2025.
  4. ↑ "Dan Costa: il live a Monte Carlo Nights". Radiomontecarlo.net. 28 May 2019. Archived from the original on 24 October 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Jazz, Dan Costa, a maggio prima data in Italia: "Mio nonno da piccolo mi suonava le canzoni napoletane"". la Repubblica (in Italian). 24 April 2023. Archived from the original on 13 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  6. ↑ ""H Βραζιλία δεν είναι μόνο σάμπα και μπόσα νόβα"". Κοινή Γνώμη (in Greek). Archived from the original on 21 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Interview: Dan Costa". HuffPost.com. 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  8. ↑ "Interviste: Dan Costa, la pace e la musica di Randy Brecker | Musicabile". musicabile.tgcom24.it. 22 March 2022. Archived from the original on 22 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  9. ↑ Ayroldi, Alceste (15 February 2023). "Intervista a Dan Costa, pianista e compositore britannico". Musica Jazz (in Italian). Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  10. ↑ https://oxfordre.com/education/display/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.001.0001/acrefore-9780190264093-e-2036
  11. ↑ "Daniel Costa | Britannica". Archived from the original on 17 July 2023. Retrieved 17 July 2023.
  12. ↑ "Tempo | Definition, Music, Description, & Notation | Britannica". 21 September 2024. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  13. ↑ "Ecco sul palco il Dan Costa Trio, uno dei più grandi talenti al piano". Il Resto del Carlino (in Italian). 11 May 2023. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  14. ↑ Weinberg, Bob (21 March 2023). "Spring 2023 JAZZIZ On Disc: Annotated Playlist - JAZZIZ Magazine". JAZZIZ Magazine. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  15. ↑ "Interview: Dan Costa". HuffPost. 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 10 October 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  16. ↑ "Downbeat Magazine : Best Albums of 2016" (PDF). Downbeat.com. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 September 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  17. ↑ "Monaco music student wins silver medal | Monaco Life". Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  18. ↑ "Dan Costa distinguido nos Global Music Awards – Glam Magazine". Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  19. ↑ "DownBeat Reviews". Downbeat.com. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  20. ↑ "Dan Costa: Suite Três Rios album review". Allaboutjazz.com. 29 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 September 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  21. ↑ "Jornal do Brasil – Cultura – Dan Costa lança primeiro álbum 'Suite Três Rios', inspirado no Brasil". Archived from the original on 9 October 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  22. ↑ "Roots Music Report: Top 50 Jazz Album Chart". Rootsmusicreport.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "Roots Music Report: Top 50 Jazz Song Chart". Rootsmusicreport.com. Archived from the original on 26 August 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  24. ↑ "Suite Três Rios – Dan Costa | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Archived from the original on 23 August 2019. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  25. ↑ "Dan Costa: Suite Tres Rios". 13 August 2016. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  26. ↑ "Template : Jazz CD Reviews - 2018 MusicWeb International". Archived from the original on 22 April 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  27. ↑ "Dan Costa part. Roberto Menescal e Nelson Faria – quinta – 29/11". Boadiversao.com.br. Archived from the original on 26 July 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  28. ↑ "Dan Costa e la magia del Brasile". Radiomontecarlo.net. 17 June 2019. Archived from the original on 4 March 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  29. ↑ "World Music Report". worldmusicreport.com. 4 March 2019. Archived from the original on 29 May 2022. Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  30. ↑ العرب, Al Arab. "أنغام الجاز توحّد ثقافات العالم في القاهرة | شريف الشافعي | صحيفة العرب". صحيفة العرب. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  31. 1 2 "Italian-Portuguese Pianist Dan Costa Kicks Off India Tour This Week". Rollingstoneindia.com. 3 September 2019. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  32. ↑ Antara Raghavan (14 September 2019). "Jazz's many hues". Indiatoday.in. Retrieved 26 July 2020.
  33. ↑ Gama, Raul Da (14 May 2020). "Dan Costa: "Love Dance" with Ivan Lins". Latin Jazz Network. Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  34. ↑ "Passado ao Presente de 17 Out 2020 – RTP Play – RTP". Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  35. ↑ "Dan Costa Live in California : Jazz CD Reviews - 2020 MusicWeb International". Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  36. ↑ "Dan Costa, Live in California Review - The Jazz Word". Archived from the original on 18 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  37. ↑ "Dan Costa, 'Live in California' (Self-Released)". JAZZIZ Magazine. 6 August 2020. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  38. ↑ "Roots Music Report: Top Latin Jazz Album Chart". Archived from the original on 5 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  39. ↑ "Dan Costa Live in California : Jazz CD Reviews - 2020 MusicWeb International". Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  40. ↑ "Dan Costa Records with Jazz Trumpeter Randy Brecker for a Message of Peace". Archived from the original on 11 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  41. ↑ "Dan Costa feat. Randy Brecker racconta le isole mediterranee in Iremia". April 2022. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  42. ↑ Weinberg, Bob (21 March 2023). "Spring 2023 JAZZIZ on Disc: Annotated Playlist - JAZZIZ Magazine". JAZZIZ Magazine.
  43. 1 2 "Dan Costa - 'Beams' (2022)". 4 December 2022. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  44. 1 2 "Dan Costa Releases New Album With John Patitucci on Bass". Bass Magazine - The Future of Bass. 25 January 2023. Archived from the original on 11 February 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  45. ↑ "CD Review: Dan Costa, Beams – Jazz in Europe". Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  46. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 16 December 2022. Retrieved 11 December 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  47. ↑ "Intervista a Dan Costa, pianista e compositore britannico". 15 February 2023. Archived from the original on 17 February 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2023.
  48. ↑ "Quatre disques aux horizons divers". 6 December 2022. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
  49. ↑ "Dan Costa: Beams album review @ All About Jazz". 19 February 2023. Archived from the original on 19 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  50. ↑ "Brazil & Jazz: DAN COSTA concert". 23 February 2024. Archived from the original on 12 December 2025. Retrieved 24 November 2024.
  51. 1 2 "Für drei Konzerte in Berlin: Pianist Dan Costa kommt in die Hauptstadt". 9 April 2024. Archived from the original on 15 July 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2025.
  52. ↑ "Dan Costa". 12 September 2022. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
  53. ↑ "Music with a message". 17 October 2024. Archived from the original on 7 November 2024. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
  54. ↑ "Renowned jazzer Dan Costa to play in Bangkok". Bangkok Post. 28 November 2024. Archived from the original on 10 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  55. ↑ https://x.com/fourpawsAU/status/1854043511877755352
  56. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/FourPawsAustralia/posts/-when-music-speaks-for-those-who-cant-inspired-by-a-friendship-with-a-dog-on-the/945809190913076/
  57. ↑ "Popular Jazz Songs: 2024 article @ All About Jazz". 2 January 2025. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  58. ↑ https://en.romania-muzical.ro/articole/art.htm?g=2&c=18&a=3895031
  59. ↑ "Светлина, природа и слобода: Разговор со пијанистот Ден Коста - Jazz FM". 4 December 2025. Archived from the original on 19 January 2026. Retrieved 13 December 2025.
  60. ↑ Toews, Brandon (2019). The Drummer's Toolbox: The Ultimate Guide to Learning 100 (+1) Drumming Styles. Drumeo. p. 256. ISBN 978-1-9991519-4-2.
  61. ↑ "Interviste: Dan Costa, la pace e la musica di Randy Brecker | Musicabile". 22 March 2022.
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