Astrud Gilberto: 5 Facts You Might Not Know About Late Brazilian Icon

"The Girl from Ipanema," an anthem that resonated deeply within the cultural fabric of the 1960s, stands as one of the most influential songs of its era. Its transformative power catapulted Brazilian songstress Astrud Gilberto, then a mere 22 years old, to unparalleled global stardom when she recorded the track on March 18, 1963, per Independent.

With over five million copies sold worldwide, the song not only established Gilberto as a household name but also played a pivotal role in disseminating the enchanting allure of bossa nova music to a vast international audience.

However, behind this tale of a young and vulnerable female vocalist making a profound impact in her professional debut lies a sad narrative of exploitation within the male-dominated music industry.

Gilberto fell prey to the insidious machinations of those who masqueraded as protectors but were "wolves posing as sheep." This unfortunate ordeal marred her journey, tarnishing the otherwise awe-inspiring story of an aspiring artist's rise to prominence.

Astrud Gilberto's Visit to a Recording Studio with Her Husband Changed Her Life

Hailing from Bahia, Astrud Gilberto relocated to Rio de Janeiro at a tender age. Before her fateful trip to New York alongside her husband, João Gilberto, in 1963, she had no professional musical experience, according to All Music.

For their subsequent album, Verve Records masterfully orchestrated a collaboration between Stan Getz and two luminaries of Brazilian music, Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto. Getz had already explored Brazilian rhythms in his previous releases, and producer Creed Taylor recognized the potential for broad crossover appeal. To achieve this, English vocals were deemed essential, and Astrud was the sole Brazilian presence in the room with a sufficient command of the language.

"The Girl from Ipanema," a composition penned by her husband and Jobim, unfurled with Astrud tentatively delivering the second stanza in her unmistakably accented English, following João's rendering of the Portuguese lyrics for the first verse.

Over a year later, well after the release of the album Getz/Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto rose to prominence when "The Girl from Ipanema" soared to number five on the charts in 1964, with her contributions unrecognized.

This breakthrough single propelled her to household-name status across America while simultaneously becoming the highest-selling jazz album to date.

Stan Getz Lied About Astrud Gilberto

In a candid 1964 interview with esteemed jazz writer Les Tompkins for the UK magazine Jazz Professional, renowned saxophonist Stan Getz shed light on including Astrud Gilberto in the recording of "The Girl from Ipanema."

Explaining his motive, Getz, who sought an English rendition of the song that her husband João Gilberto couldn't provide, expressed his belief that Astrud's "innocent and demure" voice would captivate audiences and become an instant sensation. Serendipitously, the triumph of "Ipanema" proved to be a stroke of fortune for her.

However, the singer found Getz's boasting and condescending reference to her as a "housewife" deeply hurtful. Addressing the matter in 1982, as quoted on her official website, she expressed her disappointment with the proliferation of stories claiming that Getz or producer Creed Taylor had "discovered" her, which she vehemently refuted.

While acknowledging the flattering significance attached to these narratives, Astrud Gilberto couldn't help but feel annoyed that they resorted to falsehoods. Her son Marcelo echoed her sentiments and affirmed the integrity of her version of events.

In an email interview with The Independent from his home in the United States, Marcelo Gilberto confirmed his father João's unwavering stance against the distorted tales surrounding Astrud's discovery.

Astrud Gilberto: Raised in a Family of Musicians

Astrud Gilberto's musical journey was far from that of an amateur. Her upbringing immersed her in a world of music, thanks to her mother, Evangelina Neves Lobo Weinert, a talented multi-instrumentalist.

Together with her husband, they regularly performed across Brazil, leaving their mark on notable stages such as the Faculdade de Arquitetura, one of Rio de Janeiro's esteemed colleges.

Recognizing the professional nature of her musical background, Astrud felt nervous as she prepared to take on the lyrics of "The Girl from Ipanema." However, she couldn't escape the feeling that fate had played a part in her involvement.

Her enchanting, softly spoken voice ultimately became the driving force behind the song's allure, leading to its resounding success, a Grammy win for Song of the Year, and a nomination for Best Vocal Performance by a Female.

The moment the musicians heard Astrud's vocals during the playback, they immediately recognized the extraordinary nature of the situation. Her contribution was so well received that they promptly invited her to lend her voice to another beloved Jobim composition, "Corcovado" (also known as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars").

Astrud Gilberto Stops Performing in Brazil

Astrud Gilberto made the difficult decision to retire from performing in her native Brazil due to her contentious relationship with the local media in 1965, Distractify noted.

Throughout her illustrious career, Astrud crafted an impressive discography that included 16 studio albums and two live recordings.

However, her journey was marred by challenges in receiving proper compensation and acknowledgment for her artistic contributions.

Marcelo Gilberto, Astrud's son, shed light on the unfortunate circumstances surrounding his mother's career. He shared that Astrud had a genuine belief in people and maintained a trusting nature, which was exploited by industry employees who took advantage of her goodwill and passion for creating music.

Marcelo revealed that Astrud encountered payment issues with albums like "Now" and "That Girl from Ipanema." Notably, she re-recorded a disco version of the iconic song "The Girl from Ipanema" for the latter album, only to go unpaid for her efforts.

As a result, Astrud's struggles within the music industry became public knowledge and ignited widespread discussion. Nevertheless, her undeniable talent and contributions propelled her to international fame and acclaim.

Despite the challenges and notoriety issues she faced in her home country, Astrud Gilberto remains recognized by fans and collaborators as an influential figure in the development of bossa nova. Her impact on the genre transcended her difficulties, solidifying her place in music history.

Astrud Gilberto Stopped Performing Live in 2022

Astrud Gilberto started to make fewer live performances and moved significantly to Philadelphia alongside her new husband as the 20th century ended, although their marriage eventually ended in divorce, uDiscoverMusic noted.

Throughout her career, Gilberto confessed to feeling intimidated by live performances due to the overwhelming attention she received.

Seeking solace and inspiration, she delved into philosophy and found personal resonance in Wayne Dyer's self-help book, "Your Erroneous Zones," which she regarded as a life-saving tool.

Following her father's artistic footsteps, Gilberto explored various creative mediums. She ventured into computer-generated art with projects like "Digital Babe" and expressed her artistic talents through original acrylic-on-canvas paintings like "King Of The Jungle."

Drawing inspiration from her father's dedication to painting with oils on canvas, Gilberto pursued her artistic endeavors and advocated for animal rights.

She announced her indefinite hiatus from public engagements, dedicating her time to supporting the well-being of animals in 2002.

Music enthusiasts still remember the remarkable singer's contributions despite her absence from the spotlight. In January 2020, NPR recognized Gilberto in a list of deserving female Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees, affirming her lasting impact on the music industry.

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Written by: Bert Hoover

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