Jose Costa Solo Steel Drum Band Reggae/ Caribbean

Island Sounds A-ONE MAN STEEL DRUM BAND in New England - Boston / Connecticut / based in Rhode Island- Latin Jazz ,Reggae & Caribbean Sounds. 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. Nothing can take the place of a human being playing live percussion and the nuance it gives to the audience or the dance floor. ******** 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. At that time there were not many musicians with expertise on Latin percussion instruments working in this New England area as there is now. Keeping on through the 80's and 90's with great musicasns such as Victor Mendoza, Oscar Stagnaro, Jim Odgren from Berkley and RI's legend Carlos DeLeon . ******** 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 Grammy awards night and Roomful of Blues were one of the performers and Grammy winners. (video available upon request) In the late 70's and 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 who is historically credited with inventing the Reggae (one-drop) drum beat in the studios of Kingston, Jamaica. ***** Presently Jose Narciso Costa is enjoying a new venture working as a Steel Drum (panist) 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. ******* Jose Costa has performed in numerous venues in and around the New England area, other than the past performances listed here in Gigmasters (see [hyperlink] more past appearances). ******* For a list of complete performances, CD and/or video clips, please contact Jose directly from the info on this web site. *********Jah Guidance to all my Providence school children and my co-workers/ Teachers *********Jah Blessings to Moises Jazmin killed in Iraq August 2006 my Grandaughter's loving uncle {Tio} aka Moses " JAH RASTAFARI LIVES "

• numerous Reggae/Calypso/Jazz - instrumental accompaniment mixes
• Afro Blue - Mongo Santamaria
• America the Beautiful
• Angel Eyes
• Be Strong for Jah Rastafari - Original Composition
• Beethoven's Ninth - Classical
• Bill Bailey
• Blue Bossa
• Bridal Chorus - Wedding March
• Christmas Music
• Comin Home Baby
• Danny Boy - Irish Folk
• Day-O - Irving Burgie
• Fools Rush In - Elvis Presley
• Frankie and Johnny
• Fur Elise - Classical
• Georgia On My Mind - Hoagy Carmichael
• Girl from Ipanema
• Glory of Love
• Green Sleeves - Classical
• Hammer - David Rudder
• Happy Birthday/Calypso style
• Harvest Moon
• Here There Everywhere - Beatles
• I Will - Beatles
• I Got the World on a String
• Irish Lulaby/Danny Boy
• Jamaica Farewell - Irving Burgie
• Jammin - Bob Marley
• Jammin' to Version 83
• Lean On Me
• Limbo
• Margaritaville - Jimmy Buffet
• Mary Ann
• Matilda - Traditional Calypso
• Michelle - Beatles
• Minuet - Classical
• Misty
• My Favorite Things
• Mystic - Bob Marley
• No Woman No Cry - Bob Marley
• Now that We Found Love - Third World
• On a Clear Day
• Oye Como Va - Tito Puente
• Patriotic Songs - misc.
• Pompum Circumstance - (graduation)
• Redemption Song - Bob Marley
• R.I.P.- Mom & Dad
• Saint Thomas
• Satin Doll
• Scarborough Fair
• Star Spangeled Banner
• Summertime - George Gershwin
• Sunny
• Sunset - Native American
• Tequila
• The Shadow of your Smile
• There Will Never Be Another You - Harry Warren
• When the Saints Go Marching In
• Wonderful World - Louie Armstrong
• Yaboso-the Spiritual One - Jose Costa
• Yellowbird
• Yesterday - Beatles
• Zamira - original

Anniversaries, Apres Ski Parties, Awards Nights, Bachelor Parties, Bachelorette Parties, Banquets, Bar Mitzvahs, Bat Mitzvahs, Birthday Parties, Children's Birthday Parties, Casinos, Celebrations, Christenings, Christmas Parties, Church Services, Clubs, Coffee Shops, Community Events, Conventions, Corporate Functions, Country Clubs, Cruise Ships, Dinner Dances, Festivals, Fraternity Functions, Fund Raisers, Funerals, Graduation Parties, Grand Openings, Hotels, Jingles, Movie Soundtracks, Picnic, Private Parties, Proms, Resorts, Restaurants, Reunions, Showers, Sorority Function, Studio Session, Temples, TV Soundtracks, Weddings

• Jose performed for my husband's 30th birthday party last weekend. We were very impressed with the overall experience of his performance. Jose arrived early to the event and had plenty of time to set up. This was a very important factor for me because I was quite anxious about the party and wanted everything to go smoothly. Jose arriving early just made things that much easier. Jose's state of the art equipment includes a Mac BookPro, Bose sound system, and amazing steel drums. I would definitely recommend Jose as a performer and would use his services again. -- Kristina P, Grafton, MA, 8/1/2009
• We couldn't be happier with our choice in Jose. He did an amazing job at our party this past weekend. He communicated with us several times before the party, showed up early, took short breaks and sounded GREAT! All our guests were impressed and several were asking us for his contact info for their own parties. We would definately use him again and highly recomend him to anyone. Thank you Jose! You really made our party~it was just what we wanted. Pam and Aaron Lebeau -- Pam L, Little Compton, RI, 6/20/2009
• Jose was awesome... he was our surprise guest and the our guests absolutely loved him... He was early, dressed appropriately and you could truly see in every thing that he did that he loves his job! We were more than happy with Jose! Unfortunately as the bride and groom we did not get to enjoy him as much as we'd like to have, pictures took up more time that we hoped they would so we are going to plan a party at some point in our backyard and contract Jose to come and play so we to can get the full effect. Just love the steel drums! thank you so much for making my wedding so wonderful and memorable! Julie Alleruzzo -- Julie A, South Yarmouth, MA, 6/13/2009
• Jose was a great addition to our beach wedding...we had him perform our processional music at the ceremony as well as the cocktail hour music. Our guests keep talking about how great he was! He was on time, very professional and had a great personality! We had asked a couple small favors of him, and he did not hesitate to come through with them. I would highly recommend Jose to any couple that wants great steel drum music! Thanks Jose! -- Christine S, Westerly, RI, 6/6/2009
• Jose Costa was key the success of our party. The music, was virtually non-stop and provided a very pleasant atmosphere for our low-key relaxed gathering. Though Jose offered to accommodate our special requests, we had few and the event went off seamlessly. Thanks Gigmasters for making the music the easiest part of our suckling pig roast! Roland Otto Duxbury, Mass. -- Roland O, Duxbury, MA, 6/27/2009
• Jose totaled his car in an accident two blocks from Yale University and thirty minutes later he is before an audience of 200 giving a fantastic performance. Thank you Jose....from all of the Graduate Students at Yale....you rock! Anna Fichera Yale University Hall of Graduate Studies Financial Coordinator -- Anna F, New Haven, CT, 5/2/2008
• We thought, as did our guests, that Jose was absolutely tremendous! He is a great artist and percussionist and performed tirelessly with skill and enthusiasm. It was an extremely warm day on the beach but Jose barely stopped to notice. Many people at the Wharf Restaurant in Madison, Ct. not associated with our party. were thrilled by his performance and requested how they might hire him for future performances. We highly recommend him and would certainly hire him again! Good job Joe!! Thank you Gigmasters. Deb and Ken -- Deborah D, Madison, CT, 8/31/2008
• As a leading architectural firm in the New England region, we wanted to have a special event to celebrate of 30 years of business. We hired Jose to perform at our "Evening of Caribbean Fun!" He was the perfect addition to our evening. With over 200 guests in attendance, Jose's steel drumming provided entertainment and the perfect back-drop to our event. We were pleased to find someone to create such beautiful sounds, given our limited space in our offices. I would highly recommend him for anyone looking for a steel drummer to set the mood for their next event or party! -- Jennifer T, Hartford, CT, 3/20/2008
• Jose provided wonderful music for our wedding ceremony, cocktail hour, and dinner. He is extremely professional and talented. He came about two hours ahead of the ceremony, which was on the beach, and set up for the reception, which was in a tent. He brought a small set of steel drums for the beach and a larger set plus other percussion instruments for the reception. He also offered to set up his microphone for use on the beach during the ceremony. He barely took any breaks, and when he did they were brief. His music made the occasion perfect. -- Eve S, Cape Cod, MA, 5/25/2008
• Jose is a great performer and very professional! We were able to attend some of our cocktail hour so we could hear Jose play the steel drum. We love reggae and caribean music and we were extremely satisfied with his performance. He was wonderful and our guests love him! We received several compliments on how unique Jose was for our cocktail hour. He set the mood for the rest of our wedding and we all truly enjoyed him as a musician. Thanks again Jose!!! Jeff and Katie -- Katie T, Newport, RI, 7/26/2008
• Mr. Costa was on time and his breaks were so quick you almost didn't realize he had taken one. The music he plays in a solo act is fantastic. He really shines when he has the background beats and accompaniements playing as well. He added such a happy, feel-good vibe to the entire night. Our guests were a mix of ages probably averaging around 40-45 and his music was suitable for all age groups. We have received several comments from guests about what a great touch he was to the event. Our party would not have been such a success without him. I would hire him back in a second! -- Kelly G, Quincy, MA, 2/29/2008

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