The Usual Suspects
Gio Washington-Wright's L.A. Studio Musicians Tribute Site

Contributing his professional outlook and friendly appeal to eight hundred fellow artists, his name has appeared on over two thousand albums and numerous top-selling records, including works by Quincy Jones, jazz legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Miles Davis, plus pop superstars such as Madonna, Sting, and Michael Jackson. Perhaps even more outstanding than the multitude and caliber of artists he plays with, is the variety of musical styles he has mastered.
A dynamic percussionist, an innovative composer and a qualified producer, Paulinho's musical versatility is also well demonstrated on his four solo albums - Agora, Happy People, Sunrise and Breakdown.
Throughout his prolific career, Paulinho has been involved with some of the decade's best selling projects, including the record breaking Thriller, the landmark recording We Are The World and the percussion dominated successes of All Night Long and La Isla Bonita.
However, not only has Da Costa made a profound impact within the record industry, his talents are proudly recognized in both film and television. His movie credits range from the Oscar-nominated motion picture The Color Purple to thrilling action hits like Transformers and Mission Impossible. Plus, Paulinho has contributed to a countless number of films that have connected with people worldwide like the Academy Award winning Dirty Dancing and Purple Rain, Saturday Night Fever, Footloose, Jurassic Park, Hairspray and Indiana Jones.
Through radio and television, the sounds of Paulinho Da Costa come into your home on a daily basis. Whether it is for hit TV shows like Will & Grace, Cold Case or ER, national car and food commercials or television movies, his music is heard around the world. Even more noted is his composition for the Coca-Cola "Orchestra" commercial, which found its way to number one on the U.S. and international ad charts.
Paulinho has been privileged to have collaborated with so many unbelievably talented artists who have achieved worldwide success and have laid their musical imprint on generations to come with their numerous hit songs. Many of those tracks have so resonated with people that they have been sampled time and again by todays music superstars like Beyonce, Rihanna, Mariah Carey, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West and the Black Eyed Peas.
Throughout his career, Paulinho has also been performing live with several world renowned artists, as well as for the most important causes of our time. His participation at prestigious events and venues have included performances at Wembley Stadium, The Kennedy and Lincoln Centers for the Performing Arts, the Playboy Jazz Festival, The Dorothy Chandler Pavillion, and the Montreux Jazz Festival. Also, Paulinho has played at key events in support of worldwide causes such as the International Tribute for Nelson Mandela & South Africa which featured Natalie Cole, Bonnie Raitt, Anita Baker, and Tracy Chapman; the Rainforest Foundation Benefit with Sting, Bruce Springsteen and Paul Simon; plus The Concert of the Americas which had the Presidents of the Americas in attendance. Paulinho has also had the wonderful opportunity to play alongside many talented artists in concert like Eric Clapton, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Rod Stewart, Mary J. Blige, Al Jarreau, Diana Krall, Seal, Jon Bon Jovi, Chaka Khan, John Legend, George Duke, Lalo Schifrin and David Foster to name a few.
In recognition of his incredible talent, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences presented Paulinho with its "Most Valuable Player Award" for three consecutive years and the honorary "Musicians Emeritus Award." His skills have provoked the Los Angeles Times to describe him "a virtuoso on percussion" and Downbeat Magazine to label him "one of the most talented percussionists of our time."
A
Aaliyah, Adam Cohen, Ahmad Jamal, Agnetha Fältskog, Air Supply, Akiko, Akira Asakura, Al Jarreau, Alain Chamfort, Alan Price, Alberto Fortis, Albert Hammond, Alex Acuña, Alice Cooper, Allen Toussaint, Amanda, Amanda Marshall, Ananda, America, Amy Grant, Andre Crouch, Andrea Bocelli, Andy Narell, Andy Taylor, Angela Bofill, Angela Winbush, Angie Stone, Anita Baker, Ann Nesby, Anri, Aretha Franklin, Art of Noise, Art Porter, Sr., Atlantic Starr, Audio Caviar, Average White Band
B
B. B. King, Babyface, The Bangles, Barbra Streisand, Barry Manilow, Barry White, Beat Disciples, Belinda Carlisle, Ben Sidran, Benny Golson, Bernie Taupin, Bette Midler, Bill Cosby, Bill Cunliffe, Bill Medley, Bill Sharpe, Bill Withers, Billy Preston, The Blackbirds, Bob Dylan, Bob James, Bob Seger, Bob Sinclar, Bobby King, Bobby Lyle, Bobby Mcferrin, Bobby Womack, Boney James, Bonnie Raitt, Booker T., Boys Club, Brainstom, Breakfast Club, Brenda Russell, The Bridge, Brothers Johnson, Bruce Gaitsch, Bryan Ferry, Burt Bacharach, By All Means
C
Cachao, Captain & Tennille, Carlos Toshiki, Carole Bayer Sager, Casiopea, Catie Curtis, Celine Dion, Cerrone, Chaka Khan, Champaign, Chanté Moore, Charles Veal, Charo, Chayanne, Cher, Cheryl Lynn, Cheryl Ladd, Chet Atkins, Chicago, Chico Freeman, Chris Beckers, Chris Botti, Christopher Cross, Chuck Cissel, Chuck Mangione, Chuck Rainey, Cinderella, Clark Datchler, Claus Ogerman, Cliff Martinez, Cock Robin, Commodores Conway Twitty, Courtney Jaye, Craig Huxley, Cruzados, Curt Smith, Curtis Mayfield
D
Dakota Moon, Dan Hill, Dan Seals, Dana Glover, Dave Koz, David Arnold, David Benoit, David Foster, David Pack, David Pomeranz, David Roberts, David Sanborn, David Waters, Dean James, D. C. LaRue, DeBarge, Debra Hurd, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Delilah, Demis Roussos, Deniece Williams, De Novo, Destiny's Child, Diana Krall, Diana Ross, Diane Schuur, Dianne Reeves, Dionne Warwick, Dirk K, Dizzy Gillespie, Djavan, D-Knowledge', Doc Severinsen, Dog's Eye View, Dolly Parton, Don Felder, Donna Summer, Dori Caymmi, Dov, Dräco Rosa, Dr. Buzzard's Original Savannah Band, Dr. John, Durell Coleman
E
Eagles, Earl Klugh, Earth, Wind & Fire, Eddie Money, Edu Lobo, El Tri, Eliane Elias, Elisa Fiorillo, Elkie Brooks, Ella Fitzgerald, Elton John, Elvis Costello, Emotions, Enrique Iglesias, Eric Carmen, Eric Clapton, Eric Marienthal, Eric Martin, Ernestine Anderson, Ernie Watts, Euge Groove, Eva Santa Maria, Evie Sands, Everette Harp
F
Fee Waybill, Finis Henderson, The 5th Dimension, For Real, Four Tops, Fra Lippo Lippi, Frank McComb, Frank Rosolino, Frank Stallone, Frankie Valli, Freddie Hubbard, Fuse One
G
The Gap Band, Gap Mangione, Gardner Cole, Gary LeMel, Gary Myrick, Gary Wright, Gato Barbieri, Goldstar, Gene Page, Geno Washington, George Benson, George Duke, George Howard, George Jones, Gerald Albright, Gino Vannelli, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Gloria Gaynor, Gloria Loring, Gloria Trevi, Graeme Revell, Greg Phillinganes, Grimaldi
H
Hanne Boel, Harry Connick, Jr., Harry Gregson-Williams, Harves, Heatwave, Heitor Pereira, Henry Mancini, Henri Salvador, Herb Alpert, Herbie Hancock, Hiroko, Hiroshi Sato, Hiroshima, Hitomi Tohyama, Howard Hewett, Hugh Masekela
I
Ilse María Olivo Schweinfurth (simply known in Mexico as Ilse), Ilse DeLange, Imperial, Indigo Girls, In Vitro, Irene Cara, The Isley Brothers, Ivan Lins
J
Jacintha, Jaguares' James "J.T." Taylor, James Ingram, James Last, James Reyne, Jane Monheit, Janet Jackson, Janis Ian, Jann Arden, Jass A Karaka, Javier, Jay Hoggard, Jean-Luc Ponty, Jeff Lorber, Jeffrey Osborne, Jennifer Holliday, Jennifer Warnes, Jeremy Monteiro, Jermaine Jackson, Jermaine Stewart, Jill Scott, Jimmy Ponder, Jimmy Reid, Jimsaku, Joan Baez, João Bosco, João Gilberto, Jody Watley, Joe Cocker, Joe Lamont, Joe Pass, Joe Sample, Joe Satriani, John Benitez, John Denver, John Goodsall, John Klemmer, John Patitucci, John Pizzarelli, John Stoddart, Johnny Gill, Johnny Guitar Watson, Johnny Mathis, Jojo Alves, Jon Anderson, Jon Secada, Jonathan Butler, Joni Mitchell, Jorge Ben, José Feliciano, José José, Josee Koning, Joseph Leo Bwarie, Journey, Joy Enriquez, Joyce Kennedy, Juanita Dailey, Julio Iglesias, Jr., Julio Iglesias, Junichi Kawauchi
K
Katey Sagal, Karyn White, Kassav' KC and the Sunshine Band, Kazu Matsui, Keb' Mo', Kelis, Kenny G, Kenny Loggins, Kenny Rogers, Keola Beamer, Kevyn Lettau, Keith Washington, Kirk Whalum
L
L.T.D., Ladysmith Black Mambazo, La Toya Jackson, Lalo Schiffrin, Lamont Dozier, Lani Hall, Larry Carlton, Larry Graham, Laura Branigan, Lee Oskar, Lee Ritenour, Leo Sayer, Les Charts, Les McCann, Lenny White, Lenny Williams, Leslie Phillips, Level 42, LeVert, Letta Mbulu, Linda Ronstadt, Lionel Richie, Lisa Bade, Little River Band, Little Feat, Living in a Box, Livingston Taylor, Liza Minnelli, Lori Lieberman, Lucy Pearl, Luis Alberto Spinetta, Luis Miguel, Luther Vandross
M
Madonna, Marc Portman, Magnum, The Manhattan Transfer, Mara Cubeddu, Marcus Miller, Mahogani Blue, Maria Bethania, Maria Vidal, Mark Portman, Marlene de la Peña, Marlena Shaw, Marilyn Martin, Marilyn Scott, Marta Sánchez, Martha Davis, Martika, Martin Mull, Martin Taylor, Mary J. Blige, Matraca Berg, Masami Nakagawa, Masayoshi Takanaka, Matt Dusk, Maurice White, Maxi Anderson, Maxine Nightingale, Maysa Leak, Melissa Manchester, Melissa Sweeney, Melody Gardot, Mezzoforte, Michael Brecker, Michael Bolton, Michael Bublé, Michel Colombier, Michael Franks, Michael Jackson, Michael McDonald, Michael Omartian, Michael Sembello, Michael White, Mike Love, The Mike Theodore Orchestra, Miles Davis, Milly Carlucci, Milt Jackson, Mimi Manners, Mindi Abair, Mindy Mccready, Minnie Riperton, The Miracles, Miyuki Nakajima, Molly Hatchet, Motivation, Mystic Merlin
N
Nancy Wilson, Najee, Nathalie Archangel, Natalie Cole, Nazareth, Neil Diamond, Neil Larsen, Ney Matogrosso, Nick Kamen, Nielsen/Pearson, Nino Buonocore, Nino Tempo, Norman Brown, Norman Connors
O
O'bryan, The Offspring, Olivia Newton-John, Overtime, Oscar Castro-Neves, Ozone
P
Pat Coil, Patrice Rushen, Patti Austin, Patti Brooks, Patti Labelle, Patrick Williams, Patty Weaver, Paul Anka, Paul Horn, Paul Jabara, Paul Jackson, Jr., Paul Kelly, Paula Abdul, Pauli Carman, Pauline Wilson, Peabo Bryson, Peaches & Herb, Pebbles, Peter Cetera, Phil Collins, Phillip Bailey, Philip Mitchell, Phyllis Hyman, Pia Zadora, Pieces of a Dream, Pleasure, The Pockets, Poco, The Pointer Sisters, Prince
Q
Quarterflash, Quincy Jones
R
Rachelle Ferrell, Ramsey Lewis, Randy Crawford, Randy Jackson, Randy Newman, Raul Midón, Ray Charles, Ray Pizzi, Ray Simpson, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Regina Belle, Renaud, Rene & Angela, Riccardo Cocciante, Ricardo Silveira, Richard Marx, Richie Sambora, Rick Braun, Rick Lawson, Ricky Martin, Rita Coolidge, Rita Lee, Robbie Nevil, Robin Trower, Robert Brookins, Robert Hazard, Roberta Flack, Roberto Carlos, Robi Draco Rosa, Rockie Robbins, Rod Stewart, Rodney Franklin, Ronald Isley, Ronnie Foster, Ronnie Laws, Rosemary Clooney, Rosie Gaines, Roy Ayers, Rubén Blades, Rufus
S
Sadao Watanabe, Sam Phillis, Sam Harris, Sammy Nestico, Sarah Vaughan, Seal, Seawind, Serah, Sérgio Mendes, Sheree Brown, Shirley Bassey, Shoko Suzukif, Shotgun, Slave, Slash's Snakepit, Simone, Sister Sledge, Smokey Robinson, Sneaker, Spinners, Splendor, Stan Getz, Stanley Clarke, Stanley Turrentine, Stephanie Mills, Steve Barta, Steve Tyrell, Stevie Woods, Stephen Bishop, Steven Curtis Chapman, Stewart Copland, Sting, Stix Hooper, Susan Osborn
T
10,000 Maniacs, T-Connection, Talking Heads, Tania Maria, A Taste of Honey, Tata Vega, Tavares, Teddy Pendergrass, Terence Blanchard, The Association, The Temptations, The Carpenters, The Crusaders, The Jacksons, The Jets, The Jones Girls, The Memphis Horns, The Originals, The Raes, The Whispers, The Winans, Thomas Anders, Teena Marie, TLC, Tim Draxl, Tokyo Monogatari, Tom Grant, Tom Scott, Tomandandy, Toots Thielemans, Tori Amos, Toto, Tracie Spencer, Tracy Chapman, Tramaine Hawkins Trini Lopez
U
U-Nam, Urban Nights
V
Vanessa L. Williams, Vanity, Vasco Rossi, Véronique Rivière, Vesta Williams, Vonda Shepard
W
Walk This Way, Walter Becker, Wang Chung, Warren Hill, W. G. Snuffy Walden, Whitney Houston, Will Downing, Willie Nelson, Wilson Phillips, Wilton Felder, Windham Hill
Y
Yarbrough & Peoples, Yellowjackets, Y Kant Tori Read, Yes, You Am I, Yoru Ni Kizutsuite, Yoshitaka Minami, Yvonne Elliman, Yutaka
Z
Zachary Richard, Zezo Ribeiro
About Last Night
Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
Against all Odds
Agatha Christies Caribbean Mystery
All Of Us
Always
American Anthem
Amistad
Are We Done Yet?
Arthur
Austin Powers in Goldmember
Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me
Backbeat
Bernie Mac Show, The
Best Friends
Big Fat Liar
Blind Date
Boomerang
Boomtown
Boston Legal
Bowfinger
Bring Down the House
Cant Buy Me Love
Cannonball Run
Captain Ron
Caveman
Checking Out
Clean Slate
Cold Case
Cold Name: Foxfire
Cold Dog Soup
Color Purple
Coming to America
Country Bears
Craft, The
Dance With Me
Dancing in September
Desperate
Day of Reckoning
Days of Thunder
Desperate
Dirty Dancing
Double Take
Dr. Detroit
Drew Carey Show
Drum Line
Dry White Season
Ed
Emperors New Groove, The
ER
Eraser
Everybody Hates Chris
Extremely Goofy Movie, An
Facts of Life Reunion, The
Family Guy 6
Fast Break
Fast Forward
Father of the Bride II
Felicity
Fine Mess, A
Flashdance
Flubber
Footloose
Four Brothers
Four Weddings and a Funeral
French Kiss
From Justin To Kelly
Fun with Dick and Jane
Futurama
Get Over It
Get Rich Or Die Tryin
Ghostbusters II
Gods Must be Crazy II
Gorillas in the Mist
Greatest, The
Greg and Bunny
Gremlins
Gremlins II
Hairspray The Musical
Grumpy Old Men
Hanging with Mr. Cooper
Heavenly Kid, The
Herbie: Fully Loaded
Hero
Higher Learning
Holiday, The
Holy Man
Home Improvement
Hope Float
How Stella Got Her Grove Back
How to Beat the Cost of Living
Im Gonna Get You Sucka
Ice Age
Illegal Tender
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
Jericho Mile
Jungle2Jungl2
Just Between Friends-Something in Common
Karate Kid III
Kindred: The Embrace
Knots Landing
Krippendorfs Tribe
Ladder 49
Last Dragon, The
Last Plane from Coromaya, The
Laurel Avenue
License to Drive
Listen to Your Heart
Long Kiss Goodnight, The
Looking to Get Out
Lost World: Jurassic Park
Love, Inc
Love Lives On
Lucy
Made in America
Maid in Manhattan
Making Love
Mary Thomas Story
Maximum Risk
Medium
Mexican, The
Milagro Beanfield War
Mission Impossible 3
Mod Squad
Money Pit, The
Moon Over Parador
Moonlighting
Mulan
My Date with the Presidents Daughter
Mystery wheel
Never Been Kissed
Next Friday
Night at the Museum
Night at the Roxbury, A
Night Shift
Nightside
Nothing in Common
Nutty Professor, The
O. C.
October Road
Odd Couple II
Off Beat
Officer and a Gentleman, An
Orange County
Osterman Weekend, The
Out of Time
Passing Glory
Perez Family, The
Phenomenon
Picket Fences
Police Academy II
Police Academy III
Police Academy V
Police Academy 7
Pooch and the Pauper
Polly
Powwow Highway
Practical Magic
Purple Rain
Quick and the Dead, The
Ratatouille
Record City
Replacements, The
Romy and Michelles High School Reunion
Rumor Has It.
Rundown, The
Samantha Who?
Saturday Night Fever
Scrooged
Seduction, The
Selena
Serial, The
Sex in The City
Short Circuit II
Siegrified and Roy: The Magic Box
Singles
Six Feet Under
Some Kind of Hero
Soul Man
Spaceballs
Staying Alive
Step Up 2: The Streets
Steel
Stick
Stop or My Mom Will Shoot
Story of Us, The
Strange Frequency
Stuart Saves His Family
Summer of Sam
Sweetest Thing
Swing Shift
Tap
Taps
Tequila Sunrise
That Old Feeling
Theres Something About Mary
Thomas Crown Affair, The
Three Men and a Baby
Three to Tango
Tough Guys
Toy, The
Trading Places
Traffic
Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
Unexpected Family, An
Waiting to Exhale
Welcome Home, Roscoe Jenkins
What Women Want
Wheres Marlowe
White Nights
Will and Grace
Wings
Whoopee Boys
Why do Fools Fall in Love
Will & Grace
Wonder Boys
Wiz, The
Wrestling Ernest Hemingway
Yes Man, The
Young Again
11th Victim, The
The 40-Year-Old Virgin