Rising jazz artist Larry Costa talked to music editor R.Todd Jones of JazzMusicChart about his busy entertainment career, including a new movie which he produced. Larry Costa's "Blue Serenade: Songs Of The American Songbook" is available now.Jazz Music Chart: The arrangements on your vocal recordings seem to precisely suit your voice. When you record, do you utilize live instrumentalists, quality synthesized tones or a combination of both?
Larry Costa: When I decided to be a professional singer for the public, I promised myself that I would never deliver anything less than the best of my abilities. Although I did not have access to a band at the time, I began knocking on doors of some well known musicians and practically had to beg them to play for me Finally I did get a band together for my first album, "Blue Serenade." These days, I get calls from... golden treasures of the music world. These guys have set the standard for backing a star performer, and I am honored to be able to sing to that beautiful music. It is my obligation to deliver the best possible listening experience.
JMC: Just had to ask this: You're stranded on a remote island. You luckily have a solar powered iPod that can hold a limited amount of content. What are five jazz recordings/CDs you absolutely couldn't live without?
Larry Costa: I have actually thought about this question to myself in the past, believe it or not. My greatest fear is being stranded on an island, and I already know this answer because I am prepared if this happens. I would only need the Ella Fitzgerald songbook. That lady sang every song under the sun and did it perfectly every time. I would not mind being stranded on an island as long as I can sing. I would be able to belt it out as loud and as long as I wanted… and I can do it naked on a beach. Ha ha.
JMC: Although there are a variety of jazz duet albums currently available, who are your dream collaborations- living, or otherwise?
Larry Costa: Oh wow, how many pages is this interview? The list goes on and on. My first choice is Barbra Streisand. I love Barbra. I have not met her yet, but I will. I actually have a weird Streisand collection, I own her wigs - wigs that she had worn in select films, stage, tv etc. I have more than 50 of these wigs. Second would be a tie between Doris Day and Rosemary Clooney. After that, I would have to say that I would relish the opportunity to sing with some of the guys such as Vic Damone or Johnny Hartman. My particular sound is so different from what is out there today that in my opinion I would need to be paired up with practically anyone born before 1970. I am a direct relative of Rudy Maugeri. He was lead singer of the popular 1950's group, The Crew Cuts.They had a well known hit called "Sh-Boom." I would like to add him to this list.
JMC: Do you have a preferred concert set-list?
Larry Costa: Each performance I do is completely different. I want to give my fans something new and fresh every time. It is a difficult task to do this and learn so many songs, but I believe I owe it to my fans to give them something different at every show. In addition, I only perform special shows, shows that have a meaning behind them or a particular purpose and I make the show very special. When I perform, I like to think that I am on a date with my audience, I feel the love from them and I give the love back through my voice and lyrics. Because I can not reach out and physically touch my audience while on stage, I touch them with my words, I imagine the sound traveling from my soul, out past the stage, past the lights, and into the audience and it lovingly caresses the cheek of each and every person there.
JMC: Some of your music fans may not know that you've produced a soon to be released film project titled "Larry Ravioli."
Larry Costa: Well, "Larry Ravioli" is a musical comedy mafia misadventure based on my true life adventures. [The character] Larry Ravioli is a sexy, fun, and charismatic crooner that only wants to sing, the ladies love him. Unfortunate for him, he owes the mafia and is sent out on "assignments" to pay back his loan. With the help of his assigned accomplice, Gina the Assassin, they bumble their way out of trouble and into harms way. Ravioli always seems to do wrong even though he thinks it is right. Somehow, clean-cut Ravioli seems at home in any underground [seedy] situation. Taking place in and around New York City's jazz clubs and speakeasies. Larry Ravioli is an accomplished crooner. He sings from the Great American Songbook. Although he has talent and is a celebrity, he never really knows how popular he really is and is always seeking out that "one big break". Performing comes naturally for him, but nothing else ever falls into place. While women throw themselves at him, he only has eyes for Gina, who only wants to get the hit over with. "Larry Ravioli" is not my first film, although it is the first that I produced.
JMC: What skills that you possess as a jazz performer helped you with the "Larry Ravioli" film and its soundtrack?
Larry Costa: One of the most often heard comments about my jazz performances is that the viewers feel as if they're watching a 1940's movie. The soaring notes, the swagger, the entire package is truly a scene from an MGM musical. I'm not talking about dance numbers, but the scenes where the singer would stand in front of the orchestra, sing his beautiful song with feeling and everyone was partner dancing in circles - so dreamy and romantic. I bring this to the screen in Larry Ravioli. Although set in present day, Ravioli secretly wants the life of that singer on that stage and will do anything necessary to get it. Like me, Ravioli is a crooner, but he is not one of these modern Sinatra wannabes, and, in reality, I will not sing Sinatra songs. I was also able to write some original songs for this film as well, they have a nice jazz feeling. I was so excited to write my theme song. I am the only person I know that has his own theme song.
JMC: Is there anything else we should know about you and your music?
Larry Costa: Music is my passion, it is in my blood, it is in my soul, it is in every fiber of my being and I hold my heart in my hand for the listener to see each and every time I sing a song. I am a very emotional person, on and off the stage, and sometimes it's difficult to hold back tears while singing some of my songs. I love when my audience and I cry together, it's a beautiful release and an incredible bond that I would not trade for all the money in the world. I would not want to live if I could not sing.
Larry Costa's "Live At Loi" featuring songs from the movie "Larry Ravioli" is available now for immediate download.
