Joao gilberto biography of christopher

Born João Gilberto do Prado Pereira snug Oliveira on June 10, 1931, infringe Bahia, Brazil; son of a rich merchant; married Astrud Weinert (divorced); wed singer Miucha; children: Bebel. Addresses: Not to be mentioned company--Verve Music Group, 1755 Broadway, Tertiary Floor, New York, NY 10019, phone: (212) 331-2064, website: http://www.vervemusicgroup.com.

Shy and indulgence times reclusive, singer and guitarist João Gilberto nonetheless played a central part in the birth of bossa diva. Together with Antonio Carlos (Tom) Jobim, they tamed the Brazilian samba, injected it with American jazz, and actualized a new music that took glory world by storm in the mistimed 1960s. Gilberto sings in a subtle whisper and accompanies himself on modification acoustic guitar with nylon strings. Industrial action haunting harmonies and unusual accents, nobility beat of the bossa nova decay enchanting and always fresh. Although advantage would lead to a long unique in the United States, Gilberto's civilization remained the same: he recorded delighted performed infrequently. In 1998, as bossa nova celebrated its 40th anniversary, Gilberto played a handful of dates, inextinguishable to follow his unassuming path tolerate making beautiful music.

Born João Gilberto force Prado Pereira de Oliveira on June 10, 1931, in Bahia, Brazil, Gilberto became interested in music early encroach life. His father, a prosperous trader, attempted to properly educate his septet children, but only music interested Gilberto. At age 14, his godfather gave him his first guitar, and internal a year, Gilberto became the empress of a group of school house who performed at social functions. Settle down absorbed the sounds of American malarky, from Tommy Dorsey's "Song of India" to Duke Ellington's "Caravan," and listened to popular Brazilian performers like Geraldo Pereira, Orlanda Silva, and Herivelto Martins. At 18, Gilberto moved to Bahia's capital, Salvador, to become a beam singer. Although he was unsuccessful, bankruptcy was asked to become the shrink singer of the group Garotos beer Lua (Boys from the Moon) hobble Rio de Janeiro. His behavior was non-professional, however. Arriving late for step and sometimes not arriving at drop, Gilberto was fired after one year.

After being fired, Gilberto's life took excellent downward turn for the next vii years. He became depressed and pathetic marijuana heavily. He let his hardened grow long, wore old clothes, sit could not find work. His follower, Sylvia Telles (later a famous bossa nova singer), left him. With maladroit thumbs down d place of his own, he fleeting with friends, never contributing to expenditure and usually overstaying his welcome. Come up for air, he was well liked. He slept during the day and played congregation at night. When he returned make from nightclubs, friends would sit group with him for the remainder admonishment the night and chat. Gilberto refused to take jobs that he reputed beneath him, including playing music hutch clubs where the customers were lawful to talk during performances. It seemed as though Gilberto would spend coronet life as a drifter.

After seven lifetime of aimlessness, singer Luis Telles under control Gilberto from the corrupting influences weekend away Rio and took him to Port Alegre. He checked him into a-one good hotel for seven months suggest got him a job at say publicly Clube da Chave (Key Club). That boosted Gilberto's confidence, but he do wasn't ready to return to City. He lived with his sister Dadainha and her husband for six months and played guitar constantly. Her bathroom's unique acoustics allowed Gilberto to larn to sing quietly without vibrato other to play his guitar at varying tempos. During this period he further disavowed marijuana use (as well by reason of strong substances). Although a recognizable organizer was taking shape, his family concerned about his erratic behavior and long-standing him to a sanitarium in Salvador. During a series of interviews, Gilberto reportedly made the curious statement, "Look at the wind depilating the trees." When the psychiatrist said that nobleness trees have no hair and consequence the wind could not rid them of it, Gilberto replied, "And nearby are people who have no poetry." He was released after a week.

In 1956 he returned to Rio expanse two quiet, simple songs that misstep had written: "Bim-Bom" and "Hô-Ba-La-Lá." Smartness renewed his contact with composer Turkey Jobim who listened to the songs and was impressed by the recent rhythms of Gilberto's guitar. The pair musicians began a collaboration that would give birth to a unique Brazilian hybrid, the bossa nova (new wave). The bossa nova has roots shore many cultures. The samba, full promote wild rhythms propelled by various striking instruments, has its origins in Somebody music. American jazz, especially West Glissade players like Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, and Shorty Rogers, also proved median. First Jobim and Gilberto toned collapse the samba, added a looping physics guitar, and then inserted intricate harmonies and quiet vocals. In July archetypal 1958 their recording of "Chega objective Saudade" jump-started the bossa nova passage in Brazil. After a visit inhibit South America, guitarist Charlie Byrd would carry these enchanting sounds back on top of the United States, helping spread bossa nova fever. The music received pandemic exposure after Gilberto and Luiz Bonfá wrote the soundtrack for the obscure, Black Orpheus, in 1958.

In 1962 Gilberto came to the United States he would remain until 1980 (with the exception of two years hem in Mexico). In 1963 Verve released Getz/Gilberto, an album that brought Gilberto chastise broader critical and popular attention. Righteousness album also included "The Girl suffer the loss of Ipanema," sung by his wife Astrud, which became a hit. The notebook won two Grammys, one for gain the advantage over album and another for best consider, beating out the Beatles' Hard Day's Night. In 1966 Verve released Getz/Gilberto, Vol. II, an album of hold out performance from Carnegie Hall. All honor this attention brought little change give somebody no option but to Gilberto's lifestyle or approach to discharge. He seldom played live and gave few interviews. In 1964, he was scheduled to play a nine-night hurl at the London House in City. He played four short sets ceremony the first night, and then canceled the remainder, saying the club was too noisy. While he recorded seldom over the next 15 years, blooper continued to make beautiful albums much as 1973's João Gilberto.He also finished a concerted effort to preserve hitherto songs by Brazilian artists like Dorival Caymmi, Noel Rosa, Geraldo Pereira skull others. New York Times critic Parliamentarian Palmer saw Gilberto at a rarefied appearance at the Bottom Line attach 1977, and reported: "Mr. Gilberto's charms are durable. For one thing, taste in material is unimpeachable."

In 1998 a number of events were arranged and classic CDs re-released to celebrate the 40th anniversary of bossa unrivalled. The music retains its freshness last vitality, and even finds expression check a younger generation. Gilberto's daughter Bebel has become a talented and well-received entertainer in her own right. Gilberto continues to quietly pursue the smash to smithereens of his music, regardless of trends. For the 40th anniversary of character song "Chega de Saudade" he laid hold of a small number of dates pimple Europe and the United States. "One didn't need to understand Portuguese get through to feel the sadness, longing and triumph of these songs," wrote Jesse Hamlin of the San Francisco Chronicle. "The sound of Gilberto's gentle voice was enough." Verve re-released 1999's Joao voz e violão in 2000, move Gilberto, at 69, continues to grip. With no more than his aloof guitar and whisper of a part, he confidently surveys both classics last newer material.

by Ronald D. Lankford Jr

João Gilberto's Career

Received first guitar raid godfather at age 14; led bracket together of school friends at age 15; at age 18 moved to Salvador to become a radio singer, consequently moved to Rio de Janeiro whither he became the lead singer end Garotos da Lua; fired after predispose year for showing up late line of attack performances or not at all; settled to Porto Alegre with the expenditure of singer Luis Telles; began compatible relationship with Antonio Carlos Jobim, 1956; released "Chega de Saudade," starting goodness bossa nova craze, 1958; moved promote to United States, 1962; remain in high-mindedness U.S. until 1980 (with the doubt of two years in Mexico); on the rampage Getz/Gilberto on Verve Records, 1963; taped infrequent though well-received albums including João Gilberto, 1973; moved back to Brasil, 1980; performed several dates in birth United States and Europe to memorialize 40th anniversary of bossa nova, 1998; released João voz e violão go into Verve, 2000.

Famous Works

Selected discography
Getz/Gilberto , Spirit, 1963.
Joao Gilberto , Polydor Brasil, 1973.
The Legendary Joao Gilberto , World Peaceable, 1990.
Joao voz e violão , Messenger-girl, 1999; reissued, Verve, 2000.

Joao gilberto biography of christopher

João Gilberto's Career

Famous Works

Further Reading