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BOSSA NOVA - THE PERFECT SUMMER SOUND

This soothing, catchy style of music was created in the late 1950’s in Brazil and hit America in the early 1960’s. Brazilian musicians, who were exposed to the cool jazz of the West Coast, integrated traditional samba rhythms with the rich harmonics found in cool jazz, to create this appealing, swaying music.

Bossa Novas are characterized by floating melodies, full of syncopation, on top of a mesmerizing groove. This is a carefree, relaxed music, that when lyrics are used, speak of love, the beach, beautiful women and good times.

The chief architects of this appealing music were Antonio Carlos Jobim and Joao Gilberto. Gilberto is generally credited with creating the music, while Jobim is the masterful composer of such classics like The Girl from Ipanema and Wave, and made major contributions to the American song book.

Charlie Byrd, an American guitarist who had lived in Brazil, introduced the Bossa Nova to America in 1962. His record with tenor sax man, Stan Getz, Jazz Samba, was a popular success and opened up a market opportunity for this form of jazz. Jazz Samba reached number one on the popular music charts for albums. Here is a link to listen to the album to judge for yourself: http://music.aol.com/artist/stan-getz/6568/album/jazz-samba/139228

Stan Getz took the Bossa Nova sound into mainstream America with his lyrical playing on an album with one of the creators of this music, Joao Gilberto. The album was recorded live at Carnegie Hall in 1962. This album, Getz / Gilberto, is considered the defining album for the Bossa Nova genre. This was a crossover hit, as Getz / Gilberto had the mass popularity normally associated with pop music. This album won 4 Grammy’s and stayed on the charts an amazing 96 weeks, unheard of for a jazz recording.

This album happens to be my all time favorite. Even though it was recorded 40 years ago, it still feels fresh and relevant. Everyone I introduce this recording to loves it and looks for similar music to listen to. It contains 2 hit singles, The Girl from Ipanema and Corcovado, as well as the classic take on Desafinado, which was a popular hit on the Jazz Samba recording. Getz / Gilberto was also ranked in Rolling Stone magazines list of top 500 albums of all time.

http://music.aol.com/artist/stan-getz/6568/album/getzgilberto/139220

A more recent take on some of Jobim’s compositions came out 2 years ago by a group known as Morelenbaum 2/ Sakamoto. The album is called Casa and is also one of my favorite albums. There are actually 2 Morelenbaums on the album, husband and wife, and they both played with Jobim himself. The album has some well known tunes, but also some rare and never recorded compositions that are simply gorgeous. It is a lyrical, expressive and moving tribute to this beautiful style of music.

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FIBO/qid=1148407667/sr=2-1/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_1/002-8383208-4719225?s=music&v=glance&n=5174

Sinatra was also a fan of this genre and recorded a successful album with Jobim,

Francis Albert Sinatra & Antonio Carlos Jobim. No surprise that Sinatra captured the essence of this music, singing softer than he ever has:

http://music.aol.com/artist/frank-sinatra/3150/album/francis-albert-sinatra-and-antonio-carlos-jobim/152053

Jobim certainly made a massive contribution to this genre but there are many gifted musicians playing this wonderful, relaxing music.

Start your summer in the right frame of mind by listening to the song, Summer Samba:

http://music.aol.com/artist/astrud-gilberto/6574/main

Dan Petrosini - May 23, 2006

Dan Petrosini, Jazz Columnist

jazzywine@aol.com

Local Jazz Tip

Every Tuesday Evening at about 8:30 @ The Quay in Sea Bright, the Jazz Lobsters play for about 2-3 hours. It is a great show in this very intimate environment- no cover charge.