Astrud Gilberto Dead at 83; Fans Mourn Passing of Brazil Music Legend

Renowned Brazil bossa nova icon Astrud Gilberto, celebrated for her timeless rendition of "The Girl from Ipanema," has passed away at 83, according to BBC.

Astrud Gilberto, a luminary of the Brazilian music scene during the vibrant '60s and '70s, left an indelible mark with her musical collaborations across genres, including notable partnerships with Quincy Jones and George Michael.

The news of Astrud Gilberto's passing reverberated across social media platforms, particularly Twitter, as grieving fans turned to the platform to express their sorrow and pay tribute to the iconic artist.

Throughout her illustrious career, she captivated audiences with an impressive discography comprising 16 albums.

The resounding success of her enchanting cover of "The Girl from Ipanema" catapulted bossa nova into the mainstream, with more than five million copies sold worldwide.

This remarkable achievement cemented her status as an ambassador for the genre.

The passing of the esteemed artist was announced by Sofia Gilberto, Astrud's granddaughter and a musician herself, via an Instagram post.

Sofia expressed her heartfelt condolences, describing her grandmother as a pioneering force and an unparalleled talent.

She commemorated Astrud's international acclaim, tracing it back to her groundbreaking contribution at 22 when she lent her voice to the English version of "The Girl from Ipanema."

The news of Astrud Gilberto's departure was also confirmed by New York-based guitarist Paul Ricci, a collaborator and close associate of the late artist.

In a Facebook post, Ricci shared the sorrowful update, emphasizing Astrud's significance in Brazilian music and her profound impact on lives through her vibrant energy.

He respectfully bid farewell on behalf of himself, affectionately recalling how she referred to him as "the chief."

Meanwhile, Astrud Gilberto's cause of death has not been made public.

Astrud Gilberto: Unexpected Superstar

Astrud Gilberto, originally hailing from Bahia and raised in Rio de Janeiro, experienced a remarkable rise to stardom in 1964.

The catalyst for her meteoric ascent was her involvement in producing the seminal bossa nova album, "Getz/Gilberto," a collaborative effort featuring luminaries Stan Getz and her then-husband Joao Gilberto.

Astrud's inclusion in the project stemmed from her modest yet adequate command of the English language, per Al Jazeera.

"The Girl from Ipanema," an evocative composition penned by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, had already captivated audiences across South America even before its release to the wider world.

Nevertheless, Creed Taylor, the esteemed producer behind the record, and other visionaries believed that incorporating vocals in both Portuguese and English could broaden the album's appeal to a broader international audience.

The resounding triumph of "The Girl from Ipanema" played a pivotal role in propelling the captivating genre of bossa nova, a fusion of jazz and samba, to unprecedented international acclaim.

Originally introduced to the world as a single featuring the vocal talent of Astrud Gilberto, "The Girl from Ipanema" swiftly ascended to the ranks of timeless classics. Its enduring popularity has positioned it as a perennial favorite, often regarded as the second-most-covered song in history, surpassed only by the Beatles' iconic track, "Yesterday."

Astrud Gilberto Career

Since her debut with "Getz Au Go Go" in 1964, Astrud Gilberto has amassed an impressive discography encompassing no less than 16 original albums. Her captivating talent also found its way into the film world, as her rendition was featured in the Quincy Jones-arranged music for the 1965 film "The Deadly Affair."

In the 1970s, Gilberto's artistic prowess expanded to include songwriting, marked by notable releases such as "Astrud Gilberto Now" in 1972 and "That Girl From Ipanema" in 1977. The latter album showcased a remarkable duet between Gilberto and the legendary jazz guitarist Chet Baker on the evocative track "Far Away."

During the 1980s and '90s, Gilberto formed a dynamic sextet, collaborating with a rotating cast of talented musicians, including her son Marcelo on bass. Embarking on a global tour, she mesmerized audiences worldwide with her captivating performances, CNN reports.

In 1987, she recorded the highly regarded "Astrud Gilberto Plus the James Last Orchestra" CD, further solidifying her musical prowess.

Gilberto's reemergence into the global spotlight came through a notable collaboration with the immensely popular English singer-songwriter and one of the best-selling musicians of all time, George Michael. Their 1996 duet "Desafinado" served as a bridge, introducing bossa nova to a mainstream audience with an affinity for pop music.

In 2002, Gilberto recorded her final album, "Jungle," coinciding with her induction into the esteemed International Latin Music Hall of Fame. Recognizing her remarkable contributions to the music industry, the Latin Recording Academy gave her a Lifetime Achievement award in 2008, further affirming her enduring legacy.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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