Mike Costley Is Back and Singing Better than Ever!

Mike Costley

Sal Frisaura, Mike Costley, Chuck Buffamonte, Larry Holloway and David Ring

David Ring

Check Buffamonte

Larry Holloway

Sal Frisaura

To the delight of everyone in the Valley, Mike Costley is back performing.  Mike retired two years ago and  has been very much out of sight.  However, Mike is back with a vengeance, singing and performing better than ever.  He has put together a terrific show that just explodes with excitement.  Even before Mike entered the stage, I could feel electricity in the capacity audience, and I knew I was going to experience something really special.  From the first note Mike sang until the end of the first set, one hour and fifty minutes later, the Purple Room was on fire.  Mike Costley has vocal talents that few singers could ever dream of reaching.  His octave range is unbelievable, and he has one of the strongest voices I have ever heard.  And what makes him really special is Mike is sensationally good singing songs from every genre of music from the sweetest ballads, swing, R & B, Jazz and even hip hop.  Few singers I have heard have this ability to ease from one school of music to another.  Mike has a wonderful ability to scat Jazz songs that would certainly impress  Ella.

There are lots of entertainers that I think are good but good does not come close to describe the show that Mike put on; he is in a class of his own.  It's not only his marvelous singing that sets Mike apart from others, he does vocal impersonations, jokes with the audience and has the stage presence only major stars have.  The Mike Costley show must be experienced by anyone who loves being entertained by great singing. 

Mike has selected four of the best Valley musicians to support him on stage.  His long-time friend, Chuck Buffamonte is on Guitar, David Ring is on Keyboard and he also controls the arrangements, Larry Holloway is on Electric Bass and Sal Frisaura is on Drums.  This group could star on their own but this show is all about Mike Costley.  My only regret is I can't put into words how terrific Mike's performance was tonight!

The Mike Costley show plays every Thursday at the Purple Room starting at 7:00pm.  I also need to tell you that the food at the Purple Room is outstanding and the prices are reasonable.  And no cover charge...how good is that! 

The Gand Band Rocks The Purple Room Every Friday and Saturday Night

The Gand Band- Sal Frisaura, John Bolivar, Joan Gand and Gary Gand

Joan Gand

John Bolivar

Gary Gand

Tony Grandberry

The Gand Band holds center stage at the newly renovated "Purple Room" every Friday and Saturday night.  I had heard a lot of good reviews about this band but never had an opportunity to hear them.  Well, I can report that the excellent reviews of this rocking band are right on target.  The Gand Band is made up of five wonderfully-talented musicians, Joan Gand who sings, plays keyboards and acts as MC, Gary Gand who plays major league Guitar, the great John Bolivar on Tenor Sax and Flute and on Drums is Desert favorite, Sal Frisaura who also sings.  The fifth member of the band is vocalist Tony Grandberry who really excites the audience with his spectacular energetic singing.  The group specializes in the songs everyone will remember from the 60's through the 90's.  They do Blues and R & B as good as any group I have heard.  This group could have been named "The Gand Gang" because once they start playing they capture the room and take no prisoners!  They play the kind of music that makes people want to dance and the Purple Room has set aside space for a dance floor at the front of the stage, and it will well used by members of the audience throughout the night.  This is one of the hardest working bands I have seen.  They just don't do the same tunes every week.  They prepare different weekly themes so each week their fans can hear new stuff.  This takes hours of time, but The Gand Band is committed to always performing the highest entertainer level.  They never just mail in their performance and I congratulate them for their efforts.  This week their theme was music from TV and the Movies.  How great it is to hear songs from yesteryear that brings back tons of positive memories for all of us.

Joan Gand does an excellent job as the Mistress of Ceremonies for the band and also plays wonderful Keyboard along with singing backup vocals.  She obviously loves to perform and her excitement is a stimulus for the band and the audience.  Gary Gand could undoubtedly play Guitar with any major rock group.  His solos are fresh and inventive and he also simply loves performing.  John Bolivar is a classic style Tenor Sax who plays with abandon.  He fits into this wild group perfectly.  His solos were always bright and spirited and always received massive applause after each one.  The Drummer for the group is Sal Frisaura who has been a Desert favorite for years.  I heard Sal play before and enjoyed his drumming, but I have never seen him as happy as when he plays with this group.  He loves the music and the members of this group which results in a wonderful rhythmic foundation for The Gand Band!  The last member of the band is their vocalist, Tony Grandberry and he is simply an amazing singer.  He can handle ballads with ease and yet he can blow the roof off the building with his performance of up-tempo songs.   I found a "Youtube" video of the Gand Band playing the great Jazz classic, "Broadway" with Tony Grandberry doing the vocal for your listening enjoyment.

I highly recommend a trip over to the Purple Room to hear The Gand Band but be sure to call ahead for reservations as this group frequently sells out.   

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.

Mike Costley Is Sensational At 360 North in Palm Springs

Mike Costley

Mike Costley

Mike Costley

Sal Frisaura, Larry Holloway and Yarek Yurant

Carole Hampton, Sal Frisaura, Larry Holloway and Yarek Yurant

Jeanie Stanhope, Larry Holloway and Yarek Urant

Beverly Jensen

On Wednesday, April 4, I had my first chance to hear Mike Costley sing since last winter.  Mike performs at 360 North Restaurant on Wednesdays and Thursdays to a packed house and with good reason.  Mike is pure and simple a great singer.  In addition, he is also a great performer.  When you go to hear Mike you get so much more than just a singer of songs.  Mike has his own unique approach to each song he sings, and he never opts for singing safely.  When he sings he "takes no prisoners" and pushes his performance to the highest level possible.  Tonight, I was particularly impressed with his vocal range which was far greater than I remembered.  Mike sings a variety of music from lush ballads like "The Very Thought of You" and "The Nearness of You" to a blinding fast version of "It Don't Mean A Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing".  His voice can be smooth as silk singing "You Are So Beautiful" to down-and-dirty singing the blues.

As a performer, Mike is a perfectionist.  He always carefully picks the finest musicians to support his singing and tonight was no exception.  Mike had three seasoned, highly-talented players with him, Sal Frisaura on drums, Larry Holloway on bass and the always wonderful Yarek Yurant on keyboard.  I thought Yarek's performance with Mike tonight was exceptional.

As usual, there were several singers in the audience Mike called up to sing:  Carole Hampton, Jeanie Stanhope and the talented Beverly Jensen.

If you have not been over to hear Mike this season, make plans quickly.  You don't get to hear singers with Mike's talent everyday, and be sure to call 360 North for reservations as this show fills up quickly.  Reservations call 760-327-1773