Eddie Costa

Who was Eddie Costa?

Edwin James "Eddie" Costa was an American jazz pianist, vibraphonist, composer and arranger. In 1957 he was chosen as Down Beat jazz critics' new star on piano and vibes – the first time that one artist won two categories in the same year. He became known for his percussive, driving piano style that concentrated on the lower octaves of the keyboard.

Costa had an eight-year recording career, during which he appeared on more than 100 albums; five of these were under his own leadership. As a sideman he appeared in orchestras led by Manny Albam, Gil Evans, Woody Herman and others, played in smaller groups led by a diverse range of musicians, including Tal Farlow, Coleman Hawkins, Gunther Schuller, and Phil Woods, and accompanied vocalists including Tony Bennett and Chris Connor. Costa died, aged 31, in a car accident in New York.