Paulinho Da Costa

Paulinho Da Costa, born May 31, 1948 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a percussionist and started his career playing in various Brazilian ensembles and samba groups.

Arriving in the USA in 1973, Paulinho played in [a27986]' band for four years before becoming one of the most in-demand percussionists of LA's recording studios in the 1980's.

He has recorded with [a=Quincy Jones], [a=Michael Jackson] (on the multi-platinum trilogy of "Thriller," "Bad" and "Off The Wall"), the multi-platinum and biggest selling soundtrack of all time [m=23443], [a=Toto], [a=Madonna], [a=Ella Fitzgerald], [a=Sarah Vaughan], [a=Diana Krall], [a=Claus Ogerman] and countless others. Paulinho Da Costa has also sporadically released solo albums for [l=Pablo Records] and [l=A&M Records].

On May 13, 2026, the percussionist received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, United States, becoming the first person born in Brazil to receive this honor.