Costa, Don

Dominick P. "Don" Costa was born on June 10, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts. Starting as a session guitarist in New York City, around 1950 his musical curiosity led him to begin composing arrangements with different instrumental lineups. His determination led him to work with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé during their rise and he soon became head A&R man as well as primary arranger and producer for Sam Clark's ABC-Paramount. He had some of his greatest successes during this time period, most notably with Paul Anka's huge hits Diana and Lonely Boy.

Throughout the fifties he continued to not only arrange and produce, but record as a guitarist as well, performing on hit singles and movie soundtracks. He had moved to United Artists as A&R chief when Frank Sinatra soon hired him to arrange one of the early records on Sinatra's Reprise label. Founded to give him the total freedom he wanted in the studio, Sinatra wanted to create a definitive ballads record with lush, rich string arrangements and felt that Costa would be ideal. The result, Sinatra and Strings, does hold up more than fifty years later, and, as AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine says, "remains a definitive ballads album, complete with impassioned readings and endlessly rich, detailed arrangements."

Costa continued to work with Sinatra, and others ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. to Donny and Marie Osmond. It's been said that Costa had a great ear for what worked commerically, and this is what Sinatra was increasingly looking for during the latter part of his career. The relationship eventually resulted in two of Sinatra's most enduring classics, "My Way" (with lyrics by Paul Anka) and the iconic "New York, New York", now published by Jazz Lines Publications from Costa's original score.

Thw two continued their relationship for years, and Costa is often referred to as "the last of Sinatra's great arrangers." Costa continued to be very active, and had another hit record with his 10-year-old daughter Nikka in the 1981, "(Out Here) On My Own."

Having suffered from a previous heart attack, Costa suffered another and passed away January of 1983 in New York City. He left behind a huge body of work, including many hits in various genres,

Dominick P. "Don" Costa was born on June 10, 1925 in Boston, Massachusetts, and had an intense interest in music from early childhood. Starting as a session guitarist in New York City, around 1950 his musical curiosity led him to begin composing arrangements with different instrumental lineups. His determination led him to work with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé during their rise and he soon became head A&R man as well as primary arranger and producer for Sam Clark's ABC-Paramount. He had some of his greatest successes during this time period, most notably having a major role in discovering Paul Anka and being involved with his huge hits "Diana" and "Lonely Boy."

Throughout the fifties he continued to not only arrange and produce, but to record as a guitarist as well, performing on hit singles and movie soundtracks. He had moved to United Artists as A&R chief when Frank Sinatra hired him to arrange one of the early records on Sinatra's Reprise label. Founded to give him the total freedom he wanted in the studio, Sinatra wanted to create a ballads record with lush string arrangements and felt that Costa would be ideal. The result, Sinatra and Strings, does hold up more than fifty years later, and, as AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine says, "remains a definitive ballads album, complete with impassioned readings and endlessly rich, detailed arrangements."

Costa continued to work with Sinatra and many others ranging from Sammy Davis Jr. to Donny and Marie Osmond. It's been said that Costa had a great ear for what worked commerically, and this is what Sinatra was increasingly looking for during the latter part of his career. The relationship eventually resulted in two of Sinatra's most enduring classics, "My Way" (with lyrics by Paul Anka) and the iconic "New York, New York," now published by Jazz Lines Publications from Costa's original score.

The two continued their relationship for years, and Costa is often referred to as "the last of Sinatra's great arrangers." Costa continued to be very active, and had another hit record with his nine-year-old daughter Nikka in 1981, "(Out Here) On My Own."

Having suffered from a previous heart attack, Costa suffered another and passed away in January of 1983 in New York City at age 57. He produced a huge body of work, including involvement in various capacities with many hits in different genres, and left behind a rather unique and deep legacy as a musician, recording artist, talent scout, arranger, conductor, and record producer.