Paulo Costta

Origin

Santo Amaro da Purificação, BA

Years active

1970s–2020

Genres

mpb, rock, bossa nova, samba

Instruments

guitar, vocals, acoustic guitar, pandeiro

Biography

Paulo Costta was a Brazilian singer, songwriter, guitarist, and arranger, born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia. He was deeply connected to the rich cultural heritage of the Recôncavo Baiano region, which produced other renowned artists like Maria Bethânia and Caetano Veloso. Costta's musical journey began in the 1970s in São Paulo, where he was a key figure in the rock band Papa Poluição, blending rock with Northeastern rhythms, poetry, and pop music.

In the 1980s, Costta relocated to France, where he continued to perform and share Brazilian music. He was a devoted admirer of João Gilberto, and his performances in Europe often evoked the serene style of bossa nova. His later work, particularly the album "Meu Recôncavo – Samba & Poesia" (2015) and its accompanying DVD (2019), focused on setting the poems of Mabel Velloso to music, with production by Moreno Veloso and a special appearance by Maria Bethânia. This project highlighted his deep connection to his roots and his ability to fuse samba, poetry, and the spirit of the Recôncavo.

Paulo Costta also had a significant presence in Salvador, Bahia, where he owned a recording studio that hosted emerging axé music artists like Daniela Mercury and Ivete Sangalo. He passed away on February 19, 2020, in Salvador, after a period in a coma following surgery. His legacy is that of a versatile artist who navigated between rock, bossa nova, and the traditional sounds of Bahia, always with a profound respect for Brazilian musical heritage.