Why is 2024 a banner year for Brazilian music? Because it’s already happened.
Brazilian Music On The Fours exposes the hidden calendar connections to some of Brazil’s greatest contemporary recordings.
by Scott Adams
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Elis & Tom album, with the seminal recording of ‘Águas de Março’, (The Waters of March). The famous and now legendary duet by Elis Regina and Antonio Carlos Jobim in 1974.
For Jobim, inspiration came two years earlier, when he grew frustrated with the incessant rain at his country ranch. So, he sat down and began to write.
‘Águas de Março’ reveals the cycle of life. Simplicity gives meaning to each phrase. There are thousands of versions in more than a dozen languages, but Jobim’s duet with Elis Regina is the most famous.
Jobim recorded ‘Águas de Março’ first, in 1972, but its debut hinged on an inexperienced entrepreneur with a good idea and bad timing. Weeks later, Elis Regina added the song to her album Elis. Then in December, Jobim rerecorded it for Matita Perê. The US release included the first version of the song in English.
1973 found Jobim living in California, and Elis Regina was Brazil’s superstar. She was surprised with a gift from her label: Elis could record with anyone she chose. She decided on Jobim and in early 1974, flew to Los Angeles to record Elis & Tom.
The sessions were chaotic. Tempers flared. Contemporary clashed with tradition. But transcontinental calls from artistic director Roberto Menescal calmed these concerns to create Brazil’s most beloved song, ‘Águas de Março’.
One of the most recorded songs in history, Leonard Feather lists it as one of the top 10 songs of the past century.
- Elis Regina: Read Her Life Story
- The Waters of March: 50th Anniversary
- Bossa Nova – A Book by Ruy Castro
Brazilian Music On The Fours
For most years, a story like this would be enough. But not this year. It turns out that 2024 was decades in the making.
1964’s Getz/Gilberto made Grammy history as the first jazz recording to win Album of The Year, and Record of The Year.
1984? Djavan’s ‘Esquinas’ features Ernie Watts playing one of the most beautiful sax solos ever heard in Brazilian music.
1994 gave us Daniela Mercury’s million-selling Música da Rua, Toots Thielemans’ Brasil Project, and Dionne Warwick’s Aquarela do Brasil.
2004? John Pizzarelli’s Bossa Nova album, Azymuth’s Brazilian Soul, and Ivete Sangalo’s MTV Ao Vivo.
2014 was Bebel Gilberto’s Tudo, Thievery Corporation’s Saudade, and Al Jarreau’s Bossas on My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke. Will Downing recorded Djavan’s ‘Meu Bem Querer’ on Euphoria, Studio Rio released their amazing Project Rio, and Sergio Mendes gave us Magic.
Yes, 2024 is shaping up to be an amazing year. This year marks the 10th anniversary of our live-streaming station at Connect Brazil.
I started Connect Brazil to entertain fans like us and to support the musicians who create the music we love, online and on the air. This is my passion. It’s what we do. And you are more than welcome, anytime.
Scott Adams, Connect Brazil
Extra! An expanded version of this story appears in the Spring issue of JAZZIZ magazine, with our thanks.
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Brazilian Music On The Fours
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