Mike Costley Playing to Capacity Crowds at Vickys in Indian Wells

Every time I hear Mike Costley perform I prepare myself to find him less spectacular than I remember from the last time I heard him sing.  However, the truth is that every time I hear Mike perform I always leave more impressed by his talents.  I am not just talking about his singing. He is so much more.  Mike is a marvelous singer/performer who has the ability to capture his audience within minutes of the start of his show and keep them engaged right to the last song he sings.  Mike loves to sing and performs with body and soul and his passion quickly connects with his audience.  His energy on stage is electric.  Mike's first set is non-stop for over 90 minutes.  What is most amazing is that Mike can sing every genre of music and all at the highest professional level.  He is also naturally comedic especially when you least expect it!  Mike is a perfectionist when it comes to music, and he demands and gets the top level of support from the talented instrumentalists that he carefully selects to join him on stage.

Supporting Mike at Vickys are two outstanding sidemen, Steve Alaniz on Tenor Sax and John Pagels on Guitar.  Steve is one of the best Sax players in Southern California, and I especially love the way he can mirror Sam Butera's wonderful phrasing and sound on the Louie Prima numbers Mike sings.  John Pagels is also recognized by all the musicians I know as one of the most best guitar players on the scene today.  He provides rock-solid support for Mike whether he is singing torch songs or up-tempo swing numbers; he can do it all. 

How lucky we music lovers here in the Coachella Valley are to get to be able toexperience Mike Costley on a regular basis.  Mike's show is first rate and as good as any show you might see in Vegas or NYC. He performs every Tuesday at Vickys in Indian Wells to packed audiences.  He starts at 7:00, but be sure to get to Vickys early if you want a seat.

For those readers that have never had an opportunity to hear Mike sing, I have attached a "YouTube" of Mike singing with the great Jackson Garrett Band at an outdoor concert at "The River"  in 2015.  The band members consisted of some of the best musicians in our Valley: Jay Lewis-Drums, Jeff Stover-Electric Bass, Dave Ring-Keys, John Pagels-Guitar, Steve Alaniz-Tenor Sax, John Leys-Trombone and Don Clarke-Trumpet.  All musicians perform wonderful solos on this track.         

             

        

The Jackson Garrett Band Warms Up "The River" Shopping Mall

Mike Costley And The Jackson Garrett Band

On Sunday, January 4, 2015, a group of some of the most talented musicians in the West came together at "The River" Mall in Rancho Mirage to perform in support of "Desert Friends of the Developmentally Disabled". This non-profit group provides low-cost dental care to everyone with developmental disabilities, as well as senior citizens and veterans in the Coachella Valley and throughout Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. I find it interesting that these world-class musicians, who, are never paid the full value of their talents are always the first ones to offer their musical talents to help worthy charities all across the USA.  We all owe these musicians our admiration and support for the music they give us and their efforts to make our world a better place to live!

The performers today included a long list of A-list musicians put together by the tireless efforts of Chris Gore, singer, arranger, writer and all-around good guy who spent weeks putting this concert together.  Chris is the leader of the talented "Jackson Garrett Band" that performs at various functions in the Coachella Valley. He not only plays keyboard but sings, arranges and writes new material for the band. The reason why Chris is able to get all these great musicians to perform is because they know he a dedicated, committed individual and will do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

Today's performers included the lovely and golden voiced Beverly Jensen, John Pagels on Guitar, velvet throated singer Ken Steele, Shelley Yoelin on Tenor Sax, Singer and Valley weatherman, Patrick Evans, singer Michael D'Angelo, Chris Gore singing and playing Keyboard, desert-favorite singer Darci Daniels-Murphy and Mark Guerrero singing and playing Guitar. This group performed brilliantly but the closing performer, Mike Costley brought the house down with a world-class performance that electrified the audience. Mike has not been performing over the past year or so and his performance today reminded everyone of his singing and performance greatness. Today Mike Costley owned the stage!  Mike sang, danced and talked to the audience gathered at "The River" with a perfection few performers ever get to experience. It was simply a delight to hear Mike performing again. We all hope that Mike decides to perform again on a regular basis!

The Jackson Garrett Band today consisted of John Leys on Trombone, John Pagels on Guitar, Don Clark on Trumpet, Steve Alaniz on Tenor Sax, David Ring on Keyboard, Jay Lewis on Drums and the great bassist, Jeff Stover on Bass Guitar.

Darci Daniels-Murphy and the Jackson Garrett Band

Beverly Jensen and The Jackson Garrett Band

Ken Steele

Michael D'Angelo

Mike Costley & John Pagels

Shelley Yoelin

Chris Gore

Mark Guerrero

Mike Costley, Simply One Hell of a Singer!

Mike Costley

Mike Costley

Mike Costley, Al Lopez and John Pagels

Mike Costley and Al Lopez

I recently visited Three Sixty North in Palm Springs where Mike Costley performs every Thursday night. I heard Mike sing last season, and I was anxious to see if he was still singing as good as he was last year. What happened is exactly what happens every season I hear Mike sing. I am always reminded how good a singer he is! In addition, Mike is so much more than a great singer.  He is an astute professional performer who never takes his trade for granted. When it comes to performing Mike Costley is a perfectionist and expects no less from anyone he selects to support his singing.  The result is, no matter when you go to see and listen to Mike Costley, you will hear superb singing supported by musical excellence.  Tonight's performance was a perfect example because Mike's usual drummer, Sal Frisaura, was unavailable and Mike asked my old friend, the always dependable Al Lopez, to sit in with him and his Guitar player, John Pagels. Al played Tenor Sax and flute and handled the Costley arrangements beautifully.

I have heard a lot of great singers in the Desert but I have not heard any singer better than Mike Costley. There are several factors that put Mike Costley far above other singers.  First, Mike has one of the strongest voices I have heard. His range is nothing short of remarkable.  In addition, while a lot of singers simply try to copy the style of the great singers that came before them, Mike approaches every song he sings with his own style and interpretation. Mike sings the "Great American Standards" as good as any of the great singers of our time but his talent doesn't stop at singing great ballads.  Mike also excels singing almost every Genre of music including The Blues, Country, Contemporary and good old Rock and Roll!

We are thankful for all the live music that we have in the Coachella Valley, but having Mike Costley performing live every Thursday night in Palm Springs is the topping on the cake.  I can honestly say that I would gladly pay to see Mike Costley sing. Here in the Desert, we all get the chance to hear Mike sing with no cover, music or admission charge at Three Sixty North.  In addition, the food at Three Sixty is excellent and reasonably priced. It's the best deal in town.  I hope this review convinces
 you to get over to Three Sixty North on Thursday, you won't be disappointed.