João Gilberto, master of bossa nova, dies at the age of 88: NPR

Michael Ochs Archive / Getty Images

Michael Ochs Archive / Getty Images

João Gilberto, one of the leading architects of bossa nova in the Brazilian musical style, has died at his home in Rio de Janeiro, according to a message from his son on Facebook. João Marcelo Gilberto wrote that his father, aged 88, died of an undeclared disease.

Some historians of Brazilian music attribute to João Gilberto the first bossa nova, or new beat, style inspired by the samba tradition, influenced by Africa, but interpreted without drums and rhythmic instruments, and at much lower volumes. . Gilberto's intimate and nuanced guitar and vocal style, which ultimately played a central role in the sound of bossa nova, would have been developed in 1955 when he sequestered himself in a bathroom from his sister's house so as not to disturb his family and enjoy the acoustics. provided by the tiles in the bathroom.

"Bim-Bom", often named the first bossa nova song, comes from this period. Shortly after, the style begins to sweep the cafes and bars of Rio. Gilberto has become the center of an avant-garde of young Brazilian musicians including composer Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes. Gilberto's 1958 recording of "Chega de Saudade", a song written by this couple, became an international hit and launched the bossa nova movement. The two-minute song also gave its name to Gilberto's first album, released in 1959.

In 1962, American jazz saxophonist Stan Getz heard the style and invited Gilberto to record together. The resulting album, Getz / Gilberto, became one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time, winning the 1965 Grammy Album of the Year. One of the songs from the album, another composition of Jobim and Moraes titled "Garota de Ipanema (The Ipanema Girl)" featured Astrud, Gilberto's wife, singing. This worldwide success won the Grammy Award for Best Record of the Year, helping to consolidate the soft, soft rhythms and intimate voice of bossa nova across the global music landscape.

João Gilberto has continued to perform until the 21st century and has been recognized by all generations since his debut as a pioneer of Brazilian music.