Biography
“Live for the day, give all I’ve got to produce good, original music, put it across and leave a mark.”
This is the leitmotiv of Christian Pescosta, known as Chris Costa.
A singer and composer, arranger, producer and a refined stage animal, Chris was born in Corvara, Alta Badia. A native Ladin speaker and a Londoner by adoption, he is the leader of a number of bands (Mood Filter, Dirty Soul, Capsicum Tree), writes music and lyrics for friends, artists and performers and released his first solo CD “Caress” in 2008.
He uses an energetic mix of various styles: funk, pop, r&b, punk, jungle, rock jazz, rap…
His live setup includes, apart from traditional instruments, his loop machine and various special effects, which together with his beat boxing allow him to improvise rhythms and grooves that catalyse the attention of the public.
Some of his projects are independent, others entrusted to such major record companies as Carosello/Warner, which brought Chris’ voice into leading radio (Deejay, RTL 102.5, 101, RAI 2-Viva Radio2-Fiorello, etc.) and television stations (RAI 2 NU Roads, RAI Telethon, to name just some).
Music theatre and more
In 2007 Chris gave the world’s first performance of Beethoven/Schiller’s “Ode to Joy” in three languages: Italian, German and Ladin.
He involves himself passionately in the theatrical dimension, pouring energy into his dual role as actor and musician.
He played Puck in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (perhaps because there’s a certain resemblance?).
He also had a part in “I Monti Pallidi”, an original bilingual interpretation of a Ladin legend.
Films & Video collaborations
“Los caminos del Cajòn”, a documentary by Paolo de Gregorio. Valuable contributions from such great artists as Paco de Lucia, Omar Sosa, Richard Galliano, Steward Copeland (Police), Sheila E and Zakir Hussain and a modern cajòn-synthesizer performance by Chris and drummer Max Castlunger.
“Safari”, a DVD by Lorenzo Cherubini (Jovanotti). Chris translates phrases into Ladin (his mother tongue) before Lorenzo’s concert.
“Thoughts & Clouds”, official video of Malika Ayane
“Il giorno in più”, official video of Malika Ayane
Festival
Chris organises the programme of Valbadiajazz, the jazz, funk, blues and more festival he founded in 1999.
Discography
Mood Filter “Quiet Revolution” 2013
Capsicum Tree “The Bug” 2011
Chris Costa “Caress” 2008
Capsicum Tree “Eternal Life” 2006 Carosello/Warner
Dirty Soul, “One of the thousand” in compilation “Galleria Illy” 2006 Lifegatemusic
Dirty Soul 2004
ChrisAlide Jazz Duo 2003
ChrisAlide “Sce la nëi tres tomass” in compilation “Temp da nadè” 2001
Chris & Friends 1998
Collaboration/Studio sessions
on Tour with Cesare Cremonini in 2012
2012 “Ricreazione” Malika Ayane, Sugarmusic
Chris recorded backing vocals for some tracks and co/wrote the track “Mars” with Phil Mer & Malika
on Tour with Malika Ayane in 2010
Chris has joined the band of Malika Ayane, the new italian/maroccan star discovered by Caterina Caselli (Sugarmusic) for the Italian Tour 2010.
“Grovigli” special tour edition Malika Ayane 2010 CD + DVD (Sugarmusic)
live DVD: Chris Costa- backing vocals, efx, guitar, perc
CD: Chris Costa – backing vocals, glockenspiel, arrangement (Malika+band) on track ” il Giorno in più” (chosen for the new movie of Fabio Volo)
Ganes – piano & composition on “Dorm saurì” on debut album “Rai de sorëdl” 2010 (Lawine/ Blanko Musik/Sony BMG)
ladin lullaby from their debut album 2010 by Schuen/Moling/Pescosta
“Buon Sangue 2005 Extra Funk” Jovanotti (Universal)
Chris Costa- brasilian cuica, track “Cosa sarà di noi”
“Day what a day” Fabio Nobile (Dejavu) 2009
Chris Costa- piano fender, wurlitzer, music and lyrics
“Oneoneuno” Lubjan 2006
Chris Costa- piano fender and clavinet
“People do not know who rules” Sense of Akasha
Piano/keyboards/sounds on two tracks
Chris’s compositions
Chris wrote words and music for various artists including:
Malika Ayane “Mars” track included in her album “Ricreazione”, Sugarmusic 2012
Fabio Nobile – “Day what a day”, “Always Love”, “Back with you”, “Fragile” from the album “Day What a day” (Dejavù) 2009 by Nobile/Pescosta
Chiara Canzian – “La gioia è” from her debut album “Prova a dire il mio nome” (Blue Notte/Universal) 2009 by C. Canzian/C. Pescosta.
Ganes – “Dorm saurì” on debut album “Rai de sorëdl” (Lawine/ Blanko Musik/Sony BMG) ladin lullaby from their debut album 2010 by Schuen/Moling/Pescosta
Ganes – “Dorm saurì” on album “Mai guai” CD + DVD live withBerlin/Babelsberg Film Orchestra(Blankomusic/Capriola/Sony BMG)
Work in progress
Chris Costa & Maja Petrovna: are workin’ on a new excitin’ project, be ready for strong news!
