Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
“André Mendes da Costa is an unassuming talent emerging onto the Wellington music scene. An accomplished pianist, André delivers harmony and melody as a singer-songwriter reminiscent of songs we still love from the ’70’s. New Zealand has too few songwriters driving their music from the piano and André’s music is refreshing to say the least.” - Glyn MacLean, Oikos Music Ltd
“André, you were bloody awesome, as good if not better than many of the other artists.” - Sound Engineer, Zest Wairarapa 2006
“Your playing tonight was beautiful!”
— Georgina Beyer MP, TRC Toyota Official Opening
“I have never before dined out and enjoyed so much music that I recognise!”
— Patron, Slow Food Restaurant
“We really appreciate the time and effort that you put into playing music at our wedding. It helped make our night really enjoyable.”
— Bride & Groom, Masterton
“Your beautiful playing this evening has touched my heart.”
— Patron, Harlequin Theatre
“We very much appreciated your skill on the piano and you contributed to a successful evening.”
— Gala Night Organisers, Harlequin Theatre
“My wife and I have enjoyed your playing this evening. I play the piano myself, and I love your style.”
— Guest Speaker, Rotary International Dinner
“We have had so many positive comments about your playing, we wish you were here all the time!”
— Restaurant Manager, Copthorne Resort Solway Park - Various
Discography
Part of My Heart (2006)
They Will Be There (2006)
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
AWARD-WINNING PIANIST
Walk into a restaurant or wedding reception where you can hear the enchanting sounds of a grand piano in the background and you could be excused for thinking you were listening to a professional recording of an international artist.
That appraisal is often received by patrons and guests alike until they learn that their host has employed local pianist Andre Mendes da Costa.
Having learned piano from a young age, Andre has never been far away from the public eye as his parents always encouraged him to use his musical skills to entertain others. While other children were scoring tries on the football field, Andre Mendes da Costa was scoring points with his tutors, winning one performance award after another in local and regional competitions.
Although he has never pursued music as his primary career choice, it has nevertheless always played a serious part in Andre's life. For more than 20 years he has performed as a freelance pianist and as keyboard player and vocalist with bands in New Zealand and Australia, and is just as home in a recording studio is he is live on stage or in a quiet restaurant. While Andre can read music, he plays mostly by ear, and has an endless repertoire that continues growing to keep pace with the ongoing release of modern easy-listening songs.
In recent years Andre has focused more on live piano work, performing as resident and guest pianist at a number of establishments in the Auckland, Waikato, and Wellington regions, and proving to be a popular background music choice for wedding receptions and corporate functions.
TALENTED SONGWRITER
Andre is a relative newcomer to the singer-songwriter scene, yet his recorded originals have received accolades from music industry professionals worldwide as extremely well-written songs which have strong potential to enter the contemporary ballad market.
While by no means prolific, Andre writes from the heart about real life experiences. His first recorded original, Part of My Heart, is drawn from his early experiences as a father to the present day and expresses the tender love of a parent for his firstborn, and later his second, son.
Andre's second song, They Will Be There, was inspired by a tragic death he and his family witnessed and which brought back vivid memories of the death of a close family member. While poignant, it carries an element of hope which lifts the song and leaves you wanting to listen to it all over again.
Links
