Remembering Joao Gilberto

Remembering Joao Gilberto is an elemental part of the summer sambas we enjoy all year long.

| Air Date: 06-04-23 through 06-11-23

| On-Demand: 06-04-23 through 06-18-23

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Welcome!

Who created rock and roll? Which musician gave birth to jazz? Who was the first to sing the blues? When it comes to Bossa Nova, pulling its musical thread is much easier. It can be traced to one man, one voice, and one guitar.

Back when I was writing the Brazilian music column for Jazziz magazine, I once observed that Bossa Nova legend João Gilberto “has a voice that can whisper through walls.” Another legend, trumpeter Miles Davis put it another way: “He could read a newspaper and sound good.”

But as a young musician in Rio, Gilberto was rather less impressive.

In fact, he wore out his welcome after years of missed rehearsals and club dates, broken promises, and indiscretions – personal and professional.

A self-imposed exile into the Brazilian backlands lasted eight introspective months. It was during this time that João discovered – and perfected – a new rhythm on his guitar. When he returned to Rio his laid-back singing style and that new rhythm turned the city upside down.

His timing could not have been better: a coincidence of events put him at the creative center of the birth of Bossa Nova. 

Antonio Carlos Jobim had found a great songwriting partner in Vinicius de Moraes and in early 1958, they headed to the studio with vocalist Elizete Cardoso to record several of their first collaborations. ‘Chega de Saudade’ was among these and they invited Gilberto to bring his new guitar sound to the song. He was not credited on the album.

While some consider this to be the first Bossa Nova recording, it is in fact, not. Gilberto’s unique sound was buried in the mix and Cardoso’s stilted delivery only hinted at what would come.

But it did not escape Gilberto’s plans for ‘Chega de Saudade’. The guitarist knew that he had found the musical vehicle for his vision and he immediately lobbied Jobim and his record label to rush back to the studio to record it his way. The date of that definitive version? July 10th, 1958.

João Gilberto passed away on July 6th, 2019, but his music remains timeless. His voice is weightless, its depth is infinite.

This week, The Sounds of Brazil belong to João Gilberto and his best musical moments. Enjoy! 

Scott Adams

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Remembering Joao Gilberto

This week’s show:

Hour 1:

Set 1: The Sounds of Brazil Opening Theme

Maracatu (Nation of Love)<>Sergio Mendes/Bom Tempo

Cada Beijo<>Bebel Gilberto/Bebel

Baia<>Walter Wanderley/Next Stop Wonderland Soundtrack

Welcome to the Connect Brazil Listening Lounge                  

Bein’ Cool<>Djavan/Puzzle of Hearts

Special Announcement

Set 2: Introduce Our Next Set

Eu Quero Um Samba<>João Gilberto/João Voz e Violão

Everybody’s Beautiful (In Brazil)<>Bob Baldwin/Brazil Chill

Introduce Next Song

Batidinha<>Antonio Carlos Jobim/Wave

Caso Serio<>Rita Lee/Rita Lee

Undiu<>Joao Gilberto/Joao (White Album) Read Joao Gilberto’s Hidden Treasure.

Set 3: Introduce This Week’s Spotlight Song

Samba Da Minha Terra<>Joao Gilberto/Legendary 

Return To Rio<>Oscar Castro-Neves/Brazilian Scandals 

Double Face<>Deodato & Al Jarreau/The Crossing

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Remembering Joao Gilberto

Hour 2: 

Set 1:

Tristeza De Nos Dois<>Antonio Adolfo/Samba Jazz Alley

Welcome To Our Second Hour

Chega De Saudade<>João Gilberto/Legendary João Gilberto

Drummer Boy<>Italian Secret Service/ID Super

I Can’t Help It<>Torcuato Mariano/Paradise Station

Special Announcement

Villa Capri<>Ray Obiedo/Carosel

Set 2: Introduce Brazil Back2Back: George Benson

Love Dance<>George Benson

Dinorah Dinorah<>George Benson/Give Me the Night    

Introduce Next Song

Moonlight Samba<>Lawson Rollins/Espirito

Tin Tin Por Tin Tin (Little By Little)<>Joao Gilberto/Amoroso

Maracatu Atomico<>Leo Gandelman/Brazilian Soul

Happiness<>De Phazz/Dinner Party

Set 3:

Aguas De Marco<>João Gilberto/João (White Album)     

The Sounds of Brazil Closing Theme

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Next Week: We’ll dive into two hours of ‘Brazilian Jazzmasters! I hope you’ll enjoy the show and please – tell a few friends about us! It’s always great to share the music.

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Remembering Joao Gilberto

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