Feliz aniversário, João Gilberto!
Known as the "Father of Bossa Nova", Snr Gilberto was hugely influential on musical tastes not just in South and North America, but worldwide - providing a boost to 60s jazz, bebop and beatnik styles, and he was the catalyst for a renewed interest in all types of Latin rhythms which in turn influenced revolutions in dance music. He collaborated with some of the top musicians of all styles and genres, including Stan Getz, Herbie Mann, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, and has sold millions of records over six decades.
Despite his massive popularity, Gilberto prefers to live the quiet life away from the spotlight in his native Rio de Janeiro. His innovative and influential music, however, is still as wonderful as when it was first heard all those years ago...
Here's his lovely missus (at the time) Astrud, with his first Bossa Nova hit:
And here is his early (original) version of the classic
Girl From Ipanema:
João Gilberto, The Man Who Invented Bossa Nova
