Paulinho Da Costa

Off the Wall

Michael Jackson · 1979

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'

Michael Jackson · 1982

Brazilian percussionist Paulinho Da CostaPaulinho Da Costaパウリーニョ・ダ・コスタ had worked with jazz legends Dizzy Gillespie, Joe Pass, and Milt Jackson before earning Quincy JonesQuincy Jonesクインシー・ジョーンズ's trust. He played percussion on all three Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン–Jones albums: Off the Wall, Thriller, and Bad. The distinctive cuíca (Brazilian friction drum) that colors 'Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'' was Da Costa's own idea. DownBeat called him 'one of the most talented percussionists of our time.'

— Paulinho da Costa: Session Musician Feature — uDiscover Music

Bang! Zoom

Bobby McFerrin · 1995

Amandla

Miles Davis · 1989

Off the Wall

Michael Jackson · 1979

The Dude

Quincy Jones · 1981

Paulinho Da Costa played percussion on Thriller, the best-selling pop album of all time — and the same player also turns up on Miles Davis's 1989 fusion album Amandla. One musician's hands span the era's biggest pop record and a serious late-period Miles session.

Thriller

Michael Jackson · 1982

The drummer on 'Billie Jean' — Ndugu ChanclerNdugu Chanclerンドゥグ・チャンクラー — was a jazz musician who had played with Miles Davis and Freddie Hubbard while still in college. His name 'Ndugu' (Swahili for 'brother') was given to him by Herbie HancockHerbie Hancockハービー・ハンコック during his time in Hancock's avant-garde Mwandishi band. He also played with Weather Report. Pop history's most recognizable drum groove was the work of a jazz drummer. Chancler also played drums on 'P.Y.T.' and 'Baby Be Mine' on Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン's Thriller.

— Ndugu Chancler, Drummer on 'Billie Jean,' Dead at 65 — Rolling Stone

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Bad

Michael Jackson · 1987

Jazz organ titan Jimmy Smith was invited by Quincy JonesQuincy Jonesクインシー・ジョーンズ to play Hammond B3 on Michael JacksonMichael Jacksonマイケル・ジャクソン's 'Bad.' Smith recorded a 20-minute organ solo in the studio, which was then edited down to just over one minute and 'electronically altered through 10 other keyboards and synthesizers.' The greatest jazz organist in history, distilled into a pop-funk track.

— Jimmy Smith organ solo on Bad — AllSolos

Amandla

Miles Davis · 1989

Garrett joined Miles DavisMiles Davisマイルス・デイヴィス's last working band in 1987 and remained until Miles died in 1991. AmandlaAmandlaMiles Davis · 1989 (1989) is a key document from that period. After Miles, Garrett built a distinctive solo career, including deeply personal tributes to John Coltrane.

Deciphering the Message

Makaya McCraven · 2021

Morning Sun

Alphonse Mouzon · 1981

Free for All

Art Blakey · 1964

If This Bass Could Only Talk

Stanley Clarke · 1988

Freddie Hubbard's 1970 CTI track 'Red Clay' was written to order after a producer told him to 'write a hit.' Hubbard recalled that his fellow jazz musicians sneered at him for writing something so corny — yet the commissioned tune became the record he's best remembered for.

— Statement stmt-freddie-hubbard-on-freddie-hubbard