I was just searching for info on "Rita Dacosta" and saw a memorial for "Rita Dacosta Turrentine," former wife of jazz sax player (and, ah-hem, Pittsburgh native) Stanley Turrentine, from 2004.

Does anyone know if this is the same woman who did "Don't Bring Me Down"? I would imagine so - that singer has such a great jazz-styled voice, and "Rita Dacosta Turrentine" was apparently a jazz singer.

Anyone know of an online bio of Dacosta?

juddy

pixxburgh

I seem to remember seeing in an old mag, soul symbol I think, that she had done an albumn and they had an artists impression of her photo.

Maybe your right and she was famous in other circles, although DBMD is enough to grant her star status in our world.

Ed

I was just searching for info on "Rita Dacosta" and saw a memorial for "Rita Dacosta Turrentine," former wife of jazz sax player (and, ah-hem, Pittsburgh native) Stanley Turrentine, from 2004.

Does anyone know if this is the same woman who did "Don't Bring Me Down"? I would imagine so - that singer has such a great jazz-styled voice, and "Rita Dacosta Turrentine" was apparently a jazz singer...

juddy

pixxburgh

Fascinating. One of our "lost heroines" married to the great Stanley Turrentine?! - Wouldn't that be a turn-up for the books?

I know it has bee a while (12 years) and it has now been established about Rita

Here they both are RIP

In March 1971 Rita was 'slatted' to marry jazz bassist Herman Wright ( maybe this was mis-reported at the time?), Of course it's possible she married at least twice, once to Wright & once Turrentine?

here's a 1971 Pic.

Edited January 22, 20214 yr by Kenb

Interesting that Herman was playing on her 1976 LP and the colour photo is late 1970's

Hi! Rita DaCosta was my godmother. She was a great world reknown jazz singer. She stopped singing in her prime I'm not sure why. She performed one last time in Riverbank Park shortly before she passed. She was a wonderful woman. She was warn and glamorous. The most glamorous woman I've ever known. She was kind and maternal. She was so funny and witty. She was stunning. Im actually starting to do research on her life so if anyone can share info I'd really appreciate it. 

Hi LetterQween

In our world....Northern Soul music...its a long story....this is what RDC is famous for:

Brought endless pleasure to hundreds of thousands of people.

Ed

Thanks so much Tomangoes! I had no idea this record existed or was so popular

Also,’You and nothing more’,on Tower Records,released in 1965.Not as popular as DBMD but still a great tune.

6 hours ago, LetterQween said:

Thanks so much Tomangoes! I had no idea this record existed or was so popular

You are welcome.

Had she not sadly died in 2004, I'm sure she would have been invited to sing her songs in the UK and Europe, as many of her contempories did.

Seeing is believing. When her track is played at a large soul event, you could have a 1000 fans dancing and singing word for word to that song. 

An original copy is highly sought after and very valuable.

Her career and achievements were obviously world famous, and you can be proud of her.

Ed

 

10 hours ago, LetterQween said:

Hi! Rita DaCosta was my godmother. She was a great world reknown jazz singer. She stopped singing in her prime I'm not sure why. She performed one last time in Riverbank Park shortly before she passed. She was a wonderful woman. She was warn and glamorous. The most glamorous woman I've ever known. She was kind and maternal. She was so funny and witty. She was stunning. Im actually starting to do research on her life so if anyone can share info I'd really appreciate it. 

If you ring this number and speak to Don Dacosta he should help +1 702-695-9686

email below
crossroadsentertainmentlv@gmail.com

Edited March 18, 20214 yr by Blackpoolsoul

Thanks so much Blackpoolsoul!

On 14/08/2008 at 08:21, Guest Juddy said:

I was just searching for info on "Rita Dacosta" and saw a memorial for "Rita Dacosta Turrentine," former wife of jazz sax player (and, ah-hem, Pittsburgh native) Stanley Turrentine, from 2004.

 

Does anyone know if this is the same woman who did "Don't Bring Me Down"? I would imagine so - that singer has such a great jazz-styled voice, and "Rita Dacosta Turrentine" was apparently a jazz singer.

 

Anyone know of an online bio of Dacosta?

 

juddy

pixxburgh

You could tell that Rita was a Jazz singer by her singing style, even on this Soul song.  It's sung like a Jazz singer singing a Broadway show tune.  So, she was married to my favourite Jazz musician!  I never knew that.  One learns something new every day (besides forgetting other things). 🤪

Edited March 23, 20214 yr by Robbk

That's the same Rita DaCosta!

27 minutes ago, LetterQween said:

That's the same Rita DaCosta!

Cynthia Holiday used to have private lessons from Rita and I guess she will have lots of info for you as well

This is her website

https://www.cynthiaholidaymusic.com/biography.html

Thanks so much! This thread is amazing. I'm so happy there are other ppl who want to keep her legacy alive