The history of Bossa Nova unfolds like a screenplay: filled with interesting personalities (including João Gilberto, left), curious stories and defining moments. This month, we'll kick off a 12 month salute to Brazil's most famous song style with four weeks of Bossa-filled fun on the radio with our syndicated show, The Sounds of Brazil, and here online at Connectbrazil.com

We'll begin with a story that goes all the way back to the early days of Rio de Janeiro's love affair with that new musical style, to reflect on the events that led to a cultural confrontation for Carioca teens - the night that Bossa Nova went to school! story

Rio de Janeiro in 1958! It was Brazil's 'Summer of Love' - where anything and everything was possible. And in the beach districts of Copacabana and Ipanema, it also marked the birth of the Bossa Beat.

Bossa Nova began with a single song - 'Chega de Saudade' - but which version marks the real Bossa Nova sound?

Click here to listen to the story of 'Chega de Saudade' & both songs

1). Elezeth Cardoso: This 'down on her luck' singer was the first to record 'Chega de Saudade' with Antonio Carlos Jobim in May, 1958. Her version is more typical of the Bolero music style of the day but you can hear the Bossa sound in the guitar on this song, played by João Gilberto.

2). João Gilberto: The man who invented the Bossa Nova rhythm on his guitar liked 'Chega de Saudade' so much that he recorded his own version in July, 1958, again with Jobim but with a different sound to reflect his singing and playing style.