There are times when I wonder why I ended up with the records that I have. This is one of those times. I can say I discovered my distaste for Brazilian jazz later than I got this record, which is true. But why do I keep it then? Sentimental value? I think the truth is that it just lies around forgotten. I have listened to it once, without really understanding it. But let’s start now.
Antonio Carlos Jobim is one of the inventors of the Bossa nova, that introduced samba rhythms into cool jazz. He wrote Brazil’s best known song, The girl from Ipanema (Garota de Ipanema). It was sung by Astrud Gilberto on the collaboration album with her husband João Gilberto and Stan Getz. The album from 1964 was a worldwide success, and won the first jazz Grammy Award.
The bossa nova (the name translates to new style) was played earlier, but not as successful. Already around 1920 samba players were using unconventional chords and new progressions. They were also using the ambiguous harmonies that we nowadays associate with Brazilian music. What is maybe better known about bossa nova is the rhythm. That is coming from the samba, but adjusted for guitar. One player can mimic the rhythm of a whole samba band. This was an invention by João Gilberto.