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Biella Da Costa
Biella Da Costa is one of Venezuela´s most acclaimed jazz vocalists. In 1994 she was awarded the “Premio Nacional del Artista” for “Best New Artist of The Year” and in 1997 for “Best Female Vocalist of The Year”.
Her musical career dates back to the days of her high school choir. Subsequently, she completed formal studies at the Jose Angel Lamas Conservatory and the Opera School of Caracas.
During the late eighties, Biella performed with various rock and latin bands in Caracas until becoming lead vocalist for “Casablanca”, a popular local rock band.
In 1990 they released an LP titled “El Sueño”, featuring their hit song”Hablame”which remained on the Venezuelan pop charts for 34 weeks.Later in 1990, she stumbled onto the jazz scene one evening while at a popular jazz club in Caracas.After being encouraged to perform,she complied with an enthusiastically accepted version of “Summertime”. Subsequently a jazz band was formed.
Since then Biella has shared the stage with internationally renowned artists such as:Eric Clapton october 2001, Ray Charles 2001, Caetano Veloso june 2002, David Sanborn 2001, Chuck Mangione, Dave Valentin, D'Javan, Roberto Perera, Nestor Torres, Milton Nascimento, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Poncho Sanchez, Steve Khan and the Caribbean Jazz Project, Chucho Valdéz and many others. Biella has performed in the following festivals and concerts: Caracas Jazz Festival(1991-1995), Segundo Festival de Música Latino-Americana (1992), the Festival Internacional de El Hatillo (1995,1997), Teatro Teresa Carreño in her concert "Sinfonicamente Biella" accompanied by Orquesta Sinfónica Gran Mariscal de Ayacucho, guest classical guitarist Alirio Díaz, and her own band(1998). The incredible "Pasión segun San Marcos" composed by Osvaldo Golijov directed by María Guinand in november (2000) The Water Brother Jazz Festival in Caracas (2001) y (2002), Centro de Arte La Estancia in Caracas, with her big band (2001). Jazz en el Centro (2002)
In Europe she has performed in: The Montreux-Off Jazz Festival (1996, 1997), The Café de La Opera, Neuchatel, the Fribourg Jazz Parade, Switzerland, the Cést La Vie Jazz Festival in Emmen, Holland, at the Groningen University in Groningen, Holland, the "Train Station Club" in Bonn, Germany, The Whiskey Jazz Club and Café Central in Madrid, The Jamboree in Barcelona, the 3a Mostra de Jazz & Blues in Ponteveedra, Spain.
In North America at the following events: Clearwater Jazz Holiday(1994), The Jacksonville Jazz Festival(1996) Tallahassee and Gainsville Blues Festivals, Taj-Mahal, Atlantic City (1997), Water Enviroment Federation Annual Meeting in New Orleans (1997) for which she and guitarist Alvaro Falcón wrote the theme song "Valeria Sinfonía Ambiental". In 1998 Biella was invited to record a live show hosted by Ramsey Lewis at Black Entertainment Television in Washington D.C. The video is aired periodically on this station.
Other events: Sun Microsystems concert in the Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Curacao Jazz Festival (1996), Aruba Jazz & Latin Music Festival(2001). Biella has released two jazz CD's, "Solo Jazz" (1992) and "Jazz & Blues" (1995). These two recordings were produced by guitarist/producer Alvaro Falcón for Empresas Polar and Petroleos de Venezuela respectively. She also appears as lead vocalist in Casablanca's recording "El Sueño" (1989). In "Monk in The Sun", a tribute to Theloniuos Monk released in the U.S.(1996), she sings "Round Midnight", one of Monk's beautiful ballads. Other artists in this CD include Jeff Berlin, Kenny Drew Jr. and Nat Adderley.
In Venezuela she recorded: "El Catire" as a tribute to Aldemaro Romero. Released as "Jazz desde Aldemaro" (1999). This christmas she released a CD (2001) which includes several venezuelan christmas songs, three international christmas standards, an original composition (written by Biella and Alvaro Falcón) and a live version of the Beatles "The long and winding and winding road" with symphonic orchestra and chorus. The January 4th, 5th & 7th, (2003) she performed as soloist for "The Passion According to St.Mark" at the Main Hall of the Sydney Opera House. "The Australian" newspaper had positive reviews of her performance and mentioned "Da Costa's extraordinary deep jazz voice".
At this time she is recording a new C.D. of all original material.
If you would like to contact Biella you can email her at: info@bielladacosta.com
Or visit her web page:
www.bielladacosta.com
Contact and booking:
Alvaro Falcón - 58-212-953-5425 / 58-212-953-6420 58-412-720-48-51 –58-416-704-41-23 Caracas, Venezuela. |
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