João Gilberto: the Brazilian father of bossa nova dies at the age of 88

The influential Brazilian musician João Gilberto died at the age of 88 years.

The singer and songwriter was best known for being a pioneer of the bossa nova genre, which gained international popularity in the 1960s.

According to reports, Gilberto died at his home in Rio de Janeiro after a period of illness. His son confirmed the news of his death in a message posted Saturday on Facebook.

"His fight was noble, he tried to maintain his dignity," said Marcelo Gilberto.

Born in 1931 in the state of Bahia, in the northeast of the country, Gilberto began singing at the age of 18.

• João Gilberto BBC music page

His release from Saudade's Chega record in the late 1950s was considered a game changer for Brazilian music.

Gilberto's style, mixing traditional and modern musical influences, has inspired bossa nova or new trends, music and many other artists.

In 1964, he collaborated with American sax player Stan Getz. Their album is sold to millions of copies and has received international acclaim, including an American Grammy for the year 's album.

A pioneer in his field

By Leonardo Rocha, publisher of BBC News Americas

Joao Gilberto introduced the bossa nova to the world in 1958: he created a new rhythm, with his unique guitar style, mixing traditional samba music with modern jazz influences.

His music portrays a period of tremendous optimism in Brazil: an urban and industrialized country that was building a new capital and dreamed of better

His versions of songs like Quiet Nights and The Girl from Ipanema have become world music standards.

Over the past decade, Joao Gilberto has lived alone in Rio, struggling with mental health issues and financial problems.

Bernardo Araujo, a music journalist for the Brazilian newspaper Globo, told the AFP news agency that his influence was "incalculable".

"He was the main voice of the world's best known Brazilian style and a revolutionary without even really wanting to be," Araujo said.

The influential musician has not been seen in public for several years.

The cause of his death has not yet been officially announced.