BSN

Bossa Nova

Since 1958Where Rio de JaneiroSubgenres 1Artists 16

Slowed-down samba, jazz harmony and a near-whispered voice: bossa nova was born in Rio's Zona Sul apartments with João Gilberto, Tom Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, and in 1964 'The Girl from Ipanema' made it the most-heard Brazilian music on the planet.

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If you like vocal jazz, cool jazz or lounge, here is the origin of much of that sound.

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Subgenres

Bossa nova

Since 1958 · 19 artists

The 1958–64 generation and its heirs (Bebel Gilberto, Celso Fonseca).

Elizeth Cardoso Maysa Tom Jobim Vinicius de Moraes João Gilberto Baden Powell Carlos Lyra Roberto Menescal Sérgio Mendes Astrud Gilberto Marcos Valle Nara Leão Toquinho Os Cariocas Johnny Alf Leny Andrade Joyce Moreno Bebel Gilberto+1

Essential albums 16

1958
Canção do Amor Demais
Elizeth Cardoso
Songs by Tom and Vinicius with João Gilberto's guitar on two tracks; an early bossa nova landmark.
1959
Chega de Saudade
João Gilberto
The record that opens bossa nova: syncopated guitar and whispered voice.
1960
O Amor, o Sorriso e a Flor
João Gilberto
Second LP, with "Samba de Uma Nota Só" and "Corcovado".
1961
João Gilberto
João Gilberto
Third LP, closing bossa nova's founding trilogy.
1963
The Composer of Desafinado, Plays
Tom Jobim
Jobim's first instrumental record in the US, arranged by Claus Ogerman.
1964
Getz/Gilberto
Stan Getz & João Gilberto
Took bossa nova to the world, with "The Girl from Ipanema" and Astrud Gilberto.
1964
Nara
Nara Leão
Debut, between bossa nova and hillside samba.
1966
Herb Alpert Presents Sergio Mendes & Brasil '66
Sérgio Mendes
The version of "Mas Que Nada" heard around the world.
1966
Os Afro-Sambas
Baden Powell e Vinicius de Moraes
One of the 100 greatest Brazilian albums (Rolling Stone Brasil, 2007).
1967
Francis Albert Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim
Frank Sinatra & Tom Jobim
Sinatra sings Jobim, with Jobim himself on guitar.
1967
Wave
Tom Jobim
Instrumental, orchestral Jobim, with the title track.
1973
João Gilberto
João Gilberto
The "white album": voice, guitar and minimal percussion.
1973
Matita Perê
Tom Jobim
One of the 100 greatest Brazilian albums (Rolling Stone Brasil, 2007).
1974
Elis & Tom
Elis Regina & Tom Jobim
The Los Angeles meeting of the greatest singer and the greatest composer, with "Águas de Março".
1977
Amoroso
João Gilberto
Standards and bossa with arrangements by Claus Ogerman.
2000
Tanto Tempo
Bebel Gilberto
Electronic bossa nova that sold worldwide.