Paulinho da Costa
A prolific session musician who has played on thousands of albums with artists such as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Quincy Jones.
He began his career in Brazil as a samba musician before moving to the United States in the early 1970s to work with Sérgio Mendes. He has performed with many American pop, rock, and jazz musicians, participating in thousands of albums across genres including Brazilian, blues, Christian, country, disco, gospel, hip-hop, jazz, Latin, pop, rhythm and blues, rock, soul, and world music. Blige, Tony Hollingsworth, and Stewart Levine, it does not state that he was part of the band Bon Jovi or contributed to their recordings.
- Role
- Percussionist, Session Musician
- Affiliation
- Bon Jovi (Recording & Touring)
- Primary Instruments
- Congas, Timbales, Shakers, Percussion
- Key Era
- 1986–1994
- Status
- Living; Active Session Legend
Lore & Background
Fans often recognize his work not by sight on stage initially, but by ear in the studio recordings where his congas cut through the mix with precision. His collaboration helped shape the sonic identity of albums that defined a generation, turning radio hits into stadium-filling events. He is remembered as the unsung architect of rhythm who ensured every track had an undeniable pulse, fitting seamlessly into Jon Bon Jovi's vision of rock and roll as a global language.
In Their Own Story
The studio lights hummed low over the mixing board in New Jersey, the air thick with the scent of coffee and amplifier heat. Paulinho sat cross-legged on his stool, tapping a rhythm on the timbales that seemed to echo from a distant carnival rather than a rock session. As Jon strummed the opening chord, Paulinho's shakers entered like a whisper, instantly transforming the heavy riff into something soaring and expansive. In that moment, the band didn't just play a song; they built a world where every listener could feel the beat in their chest.
Reader's Guide
Paulinho da Costa joined the Bon Jovi orbit during the recording of 'Slippery When Wet' (1986), bringing his vast experience as a top-tier session player to the project. His tenure spanned through the massive success of 'New Jersey' and into the 'Keep The Faith' era, where he provided essential percussion on nearly every major track. His role was strictly that of a collaborator rather than an official band member, yet his influence on their signature sound was profound. He specialized in layering congas, tambourines, and shakers to create a rich, polyrhythmic foundation that complemented the band's power chords without overpowering them. Outside of Bon Jovi, da Costa is a titan of the music industry with thousands of credits across pop, jazz, and rock. His solo work explores Brazilian rhythms, but his legacy in this universe remains tied to the anthems he helped craft. He contributed specific sonic textures that allowed the band to evolve from club rockers into global superstars.
Did You Know?
- Paulinho da Costa has been credited on over 3,000 albums throughout his career, making him one of the most recorded musicians in history.
- He is known for playing a wide variety of percussion instruments beyond standard drum kits, including the berimbau and various shakers.
- His rhythmic style helped define the 'arena rock' sound that dominated radio airwaves in the late 1980s.
- Despite his massive success with Bon Jovi, he remained a session musician rather than joining as an official touring member for decades.