‘Girl from Ipanema’ singer passes away at 83.
Brazilian Bossa Nova Legend Astrud Gilberto Dies at 83
The world has lost a true musical icon. Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian singer, songwriter, and entertainer who became a worldwide voice of bossa nova, has passed away at the age of 83. Gilberto’s off-hand, English-language cameo on “The Girl from Ipanema” made her an overnight sensation in 1964, and she went on to become one of the most important figures of the bossa nova movement.
Paul Ricci, a family friend, confirmed Gilberto’s passing on Monday. While no additional details have been provided, fans around the world are mourning the loss of this incredible talent.
The Girl from Ipanema
“The Girl from Ipanema,” the wistful ballad written by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, was already a hit in South America. But “Getz/Gilberto” producer Creed Taylor and others thought they could expand the record’s appeal by including both Portuguese and English language vocals. Gilberto’s contribution to the song was a chorus in English, which she sang after her then-husband, singer-songwriter-guitarist Joao Gilberto, sang the first chorus in Portuguese.
R.I.P. Astrud Gilberto, March 29, 1940 – June 5, 2023. Here she is performing “The Girl from Ipanema” in 1964 with Stan Getz on tenor sax, Gary Burton on vibraphone, Gene Cherico on bass, and Joe Hunt on drums. pic.twitter.com/oR7QZLOhLf
— Dust-to-Digital (@dusttodigital) June 6, 2023
Gilberto’s light, affectless style of singing influenced Sade and Suzanne Vega, among others. Her words, translated from Portuguese by Norman Gimbel, would be remembered like few others from the era:
Tall and tan and young and lovely,
The girl from Ipanema goes walking,
And when she passes,
Each one she passes goes, “Ah.”
“Getz/Gilberto” sold more than 2 million copies, and “The Girl from Ipanema,” released as a single with Gilberto as the only vocalist, became an all-time standard, often ranked just behind “Yesterday” as the most covered song in modern times. The song won a Grammy in 1965 for record of the year, and Gilberto received nominations for best new artist and best vocal performance.
A Career in Music and Beyond
Over the next few years, Gilberto toured with Getz and released eight albums (with songs in English and Portuguese), including “The Astrud Gilberto Album,” “Beach Samba,” and “The Shadow of Your Smile.” But after 1969, she made just seven more albums, and by 2002, she had essentially retired from the business and stopped giving interviews, dedicating her latter years to animal rights activism and a career in the visual arts.
Remembering a Legend
Astrud Gilberto’s contribution to the world of music cannot be overstated. Her unique style and unforgettable voice will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in peace, Astrud Gilberto.
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of bossa nova singer Astrud Gilberto.
One of the most important figures of the bossa nova movement, she worked with Antonio Carlos Jobim on developing bossa nova, a musical style that combined Brazilian samba rhythms and jazz. pic.twitter.com/9mWWYmyLG0
— The Jazz Estate (@thejazzestate) June 6, 2023
Discovering the True Story Behind “The Girl from Ipanema”
Did you know that the woman who sang “The Girl from Ipanema” didn’t receive any money for it and felt estranged from her native country? Astrud Weinert, the youngest of three sisters born into a musical family in Brazil, met Joao Gilberto, a rising star in Rio’s bossa nova scene, in her teens. She would later marry him and sing on the iconic song that would become a worldwide hit.
She would allege that she received no money for “The Girl from Ipanema” and that Taylor and Getz (who would refer to her as “just a housewife”) took undue credit for “discovering” her. She also felt estranged from her native country, alleging she was treated dismissively by the media, and rarely performed there after she became a star.
Despite the song’s success, Weinert felt like an outsider in her own country and rarely performed there. “Isn’t there an ancient proverb to the effect that ‘No one is a prophet in his own land’?” she said in 2002. “I have no qualms with Brazilians, and I enjoy myself very much when I go to Brazil. Of course, I go there as an incognito visitor, and not as a performer.”
A Musical Family
Music was in Weinert’s blood. Her mother was a singer and violinist, and her father was a linguistics professor. By her teens, Weinert was already part of a circle of musical friends that included Joao Gilberto. She would later marry him and sing on “The Girl from Ipanema,” which would become a worldwide hit.
Stolen Credit
Weinert alleged that she didn’t receive any money for the song and that Stan Getz and producer Creed Taylor took undue credit for “discovering” her. She felt like she was treated dismissively by the media in her native country and rarely performed there after becoming a star.
Incognito Visitor
Despite her success, Weinert felt estranged from her native country and rarely performed there. She enjoyed visiting Brazil but only as an “incognito visitor” and not as a performer.
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The Life and Legacy of ‘The Girl from Ipanema’ Singer
From singing duets with Joao Gilberto to receiving a Latin Grammy for lifetime achievement, the late Astrud Gilberto had a remarkable career in music.
“My work, whether perceived as good, bad, or indifferent, speaks for itself.”
– Astrud Gilberto
Gilberto, who passed away at the age of 83, was known for her warm and jazzy singing style, which captivated audiences long after her commercial peak. She was married twice and had two sons, both of whom would work with her.
Despite occasional labels of being a recluse, Gilberto firmly believed that an artist’s work speaks for itself and that they have no obligation to satisfy the curiosity of journalists or fans about their private lives. Her work certainly spoke for itself, whether she was singing covers or original material, backed by Chet Baker or crooning with George Michael on the bossa nova standard “Desafinado.”
Her legacy will continue to inspire and captivate music lovers around the world.
- She sang duets with Joao Gilberto
- Received a Latin Grammy for lifetime achievement in 2008
- Her singing style became warmer and jazzier over time
- She had notable moments as a recording artist, collaborating with Chet Baker and George Michael
Rest in peace, Astrud Gilberto.
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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