Brazil mourns legend of bossa nova
Gilberto pioneered a fusion of samba and jazz that gained a global following in the 60s
Marcelo Silva de Sousa Joao Gilberto, a Brazilian singer, guitarist and songwriter considered one of the fathers of the bossa nova genre that gained global popularity in the 1960s and became an iconic sound of the South American nation, has died aged 88.
His son Joao Marcelo said Gilberto had been battling health issues though no official cause of his death in Rio de Janeiro was given.
“His struggle was noble. He tried to maintain his dignity in the light of losing his sovereignty,” Marcelo posted on Facebook.
A fusion of samba and jazz, bossa nova emerged in the late 1950 and gained a worldwide following in the 1960s, pioneered by Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim, who composed the iconic Girl From
Ipanema that was performed by Gilberto and others.
His wife Astrud Gilberto made her vocal debut in the song. With his unique guitar style and modern jazz influences, he created a new beat that defined bossa nova, helping launch the genre with his song Bim-Bom.
By 1961, Gilberto had finished the albums that would make bossa nova known around the world: Chega de Saudade, Love, A Smile and A Flower
and Joao Gilberto.
His 1964 album Getz/Gilberto with
US saxophonist Stan Getz sold millions of copies and popularised bossa nova. During his career he won two Grammy awards and was nominated for six.
“It was Joao Gilberto, the greatest genius of Brazilian music, who was the definitive influence on my music,” singer Gal Costa wrote on social media.
“He will be missed but his legacy is very important to Brazil and to the world.”
Born in Bahia in northeastern Brazil, Gilberto moved to Rio de Janeiro at a young age. He was influenced by US jazz greats and recorded songs in the US where he lived for much of the 1960s and 1970.
An entire subsequent generation of Brazilian musicians, including Gilberto Gil, Chico Buarque and Caetano Veloso, are considered his disciples.
Journalist and bossa nova expert Ruy Castro called the death a “monumental” loss.
Castro wrote in his book The Wave
that Built in the Sea that Gilberto loved soccer and was a fan of the Fluminense club, whose games he liked to watch with a guitar in his hands.
“He managed to create a mystique about him abroad, being who he was and not even speaking English,” he told the Globo television station.
The musician spent his final years wrapped in legal troubles, debts and disputes with his children. His last live performance was in 2008 and he cancelled a commemorative show to mark his 80th year because of health problems.
With little interest in interviews, he was known as the “reclusive genius” in Leblo´ n, Rio, where he lived but was seldom seen.
The funeral will be held tomorrow. He is survived by three children.
Singer Daniela Mercury called Gilberto a genius who revolutionised Brazilian music: “He taught us how to sing in the most beautiful way in the world. Go in peace, maestro.”
He managed to create a mystique about him abroad, being who he was and not even speaking English.
Writer Ruy Castro