André Mendes da Costa - Pianist
2011 Awards Nomination
Posted on May 23, 2011
It is with great pleasure to be able to announce that I have been nominated for the Golden Koru People's Choice Awards, hosted by the Corporate Events Guide.
The People's Choice Awards is New Zealand's largest conference and events awards programme, and provides confidence to prospective customers about the level of service they can expect to receive. In 2009 and again in 2010 I was pleased to be announced the Winner of the Best Nationwide Bands category at these awards.
I would be very grateful if you could support my nomination this year by voting. Simply click on the logo at right, which will take you to my voting page. Thanks in advance for your support, and please tell your friends!
Wairarapa Lifestyle Magazine
Posted on March 21, 2011
The Autumn 2011 issue of Wairarapa Lifestyle magazine introduces me to its readers in the article "Tickling the Ivories" as part of the Wairarapa Wedding Guide feature.
My grateful thanks to the editor, Raewyn Watson, for inclusion in this quality magazine.
You can obtain your own copy of Wairarapa Lifestyle magazine from selected locations throughout the region, or you can read the page 58 article online by clicking on the image at right.
Kurzweil Artist
Posted on February 11, 2011
Today I joined the growing number of musicians worldwide who use KURZWEIL instruments for their live performances. I am now the proud owner of one of their amazing PC3 series performance controller keyboards, the 88-key PC3LE8. Many thanks to Roger Smith of South Pacific Music Distributors in Auckland as well as Len Fifield and the team at MUSIC PLANET in Wellington for their fantastic service.
2010 Award Winner
Posted on November 2, 2010
I was informed this week by the Corporate Events Guide People's Choice Awards that I have won the Best Nationwide Bands category for 2010. This is my second consecutive win in this category, having also won it in 2009. The photo at right shows the two trophies sitting side by side on my piano keys. My grateful thanks go again to all those who supported my nomination!
Bobby Crush
Posted on September 21, 2010
I was delighted to finally meet up with famous UK pianist and entertainer Bobby Crush recently during his New Zealand tour. It was in 1977 that my parents bought me my very first LP, an album of popular hits by Bobby Crush, who by then was already a famous pianist even in his teens. From then on Bobby's playing style had a significant influence on my own, and although my style has broadened considerably since those early days, I still employ Bobby's distinctive and entertaining style in certain songs when performing today. It was a great pleasure to finally meet the artist whose recordings influenced my playing more than 30 years ago. If you like Bobby Crush, I highly recommend his latest CD, The Definitive Collection, which can be ordered online from Amazon. For more information, visit his website at www.bobbycrush.com.
Online Survey
Posted on June 8, 2010
I have prepared a brief online survey as part of a Certificate in Small Business Management marketing module. Please take a moment to complete the survey by clicking on the link below. Thank you.
ONLINE SURVEY - LIVE BACKGROUND MUSIC
2010 Award Nominee
Posted on February 22, 2010
For the second consecutive year I have been nominated for the Corporate Events Guide's 2010 People's Choice Awards, in the category "Best Nationwide Bands." (There is no category for solo performing musicians.)
To support my nomination by voting, please click on the image at right. Your email address and a brief comment is required to validate the vote. Many thanks in advance for your support!
Fletcher Construction
Posted on December 6, 2009
Enjoyed a superb evening's performance for Fletcher Construction's centenary celebrations (1909-2009) at the Fletcher-built Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. The evening featured a visual tour through the company's 100-year history complemented by music through the decades. After an initial performance in the museum foyer by a string quartet playing music from 1909 to 1919, I was commissioned to perform a musical timeline throughout dinner: 1920's music for the entrée; 1930's music throughout the main course; and 1940's music during dessert. Each course was preceded by a presentation of the company's achievements down through the years covered by those periods.
The instrument hired for the occasion was a 1909 New York Steinway & Sons Model D Concert Grand piano, which had been transported to the museum in the morning and tuned on site. The 100-year-old Steinway was in top form for its age, with a mature tonal quality and timbre, a crystalline upper register and warm, full bass notes, and delightfully sensitive to touch; overall, a pure delight to play.
Following dessert and the conclusion of my performance, master of ceremonies Nick Tansley and his band The Mod Squad provided dance music from the 1950's to the present day. It was a pleasure working along with Nick and organiser Christina de Boer to contribute to a memorable evening for the nearly 500 guests in attendance at Wellington's magnificent Te Papa venue. (Click here for photos.)
Armand Mendes da Costa 1926-2009
Posted on December 6, 2009
On Thursday, 3 December 2009, my father Armand Mendes da Costa passed away peacefully in his 84th year. Dad had a great deal of musical input into my life, and particularly helped me develop a love for music of the swing and big-band eras that dominated the 1930's and 1940's.
“I'll be seeing you, in all the old familiar places, that this heart of mine embraces, all day through. In that small cafe; the park across the way; the children's carousel; the chestnut trees; the wishing well. I'll be seeing you, in every lovely summer's day; in every thing that's light and gay, I'll always think of you that way. I'll find you in the morning sun, and when the night is new, I'll be looking at the moon, but I'll be seeing you.” (Fain/Kahal, 1938)
Listen to "I'll Be Seeing You” by Michael Bublé
Dad believed firmly in the Bible teaching that the dead are asleep and awaiting a resurrection to an earthly paradise of God's making. (Eccl 9:5; Acts 24:15; Rev 21:3, 4)
"If an able-bodied man dies can he live again? All the days of my compulsory service I shall wait, until my relief comes. You will call, and I myself shall answer you. For the work of your hands you will have a yearning.” ~ Job 14:14, 15
Sadly missed but not forgotten. Dad, I'll be seeing you. ♥
Andre
100-Year-Old Steinway
Posted on November 19, 2009
Looking forward to performing on a turn-of-the-century New York Steinway concert grand piano which will be transported to Te Papa for the Fletcher Construction Centennial Anniversary (1909-2009) corporate function on December 5. According to Cameron Crawford of PianoShop, the Steinway was one of two "duelling pianos" played by Wayne Mason and Crawford at Wellington Railway Station at the start of NZ Music Month in May.