Manuel Antonio has a surprisingly abundant live music scene. Whether you’re in the mood for rock, soul, Latin, reggae or country you’ll find it here. Venues range from tropical restaurants to 5 star hotels to the local’s hang out bar in downtown Quepos. From time to time I’ll feature different groups here. One you don’t want to miss is song stylist, Kezirah.

Formerly known as Fuzzy Rojas this singer’s smoky, soulful voice is a cross between Toni Braxton and Billy Holiday. She sings R & B, soul, jazz, funk and more. While others strive to sound exactly like the original artist, Kezirah takes a song and spins it into several different styles. She’ll put a reggae spin on Sade’s “By Your Side,” a soulful spin on “Favorite Things,” or a jazz spin on “Besame Mucho.” She also has an original song, “My House on the Hill,” that she co-wrote with base player Drew Pickins at her hilltop home outside of Quepos.

If you want an inside peek at what the locals do for fun, join them Monday nights at La Hacienda Restaurant where Kezirah is accompanied by her pianist Ricardo Alfaro. The first few notes of “Hit the Road Jack” get half the audience on the dance floor and others onstage to sing background (including yours truly). With a well-timed thrust of her microphone Kezirah gets a spontaneous and gravely-voiced “What-choo say!” out of one of the dancers. Her show is part comedy routine as she jokes with the crowd and fellow musicians, often cracking herself up with improvised lyrics. The more fun she has, the more fun the crowd has.

Having fun flows through Kezirah’s gene pool. She and her brothers were latch key kids forbidden to leave the house while both of their parents worked, so the siblings got creative. Wire hangers became space helmets as they played Star Trek, “Captain, I’m only human, the engine’s about to blow!” They especially enjoyed dressing up like Sly and the Family Stone to perform for their parents. Originally from Philadelphia, Kezirah spent 20 years in California before settling in Costa Rica 7 years ago, expanding her music career and fan base ever since.

If you’re in the mood for “Jazz a lotta Soul…and then Some” join Kezirah at La Hacienda in Plaza Yara Wednesday nights from 7-9 P.M. Some nights local musicians drop in. You may find David on flute, Lance on harmonica or a talented tourist on holiday doing his thing. You’ll find Kezirah at la Hacienda February through September. The rest of the year she retreats to northern California and Philly for some quality family time.