Astrud Gilberto, the enchanting voice behind the 1960s global phenomenon The Girl from Ipanema and a striking force in the rising bossa nova movement, has died at 83, as confirmed by her family. The Brazilian songstress, renowned for her velvety captivating vocals, has left an indelible mark on the music landscape.
Astrud Gilberto, the legend who engraved her name into music history as the “Queen of Bossa Nova,” has bid her adieu to the world, leaving a vibrant legacy that will forever echo in her timeless tunes. The Brazilian icon, renowned for transforming The Girl from Ipanema into an international sensation, passed away in her Philadelphia residence, as confirmed by Brazilian news site G1 and her granddaughter Sofia Gilberto’s heartfelt social media tribute. Born in 1940 in Salvador, Bahia, Gilberto’s life was inextricably intertwined with music, bound by her marriage to João Gilberto, a bossa nova pioneer. Despite her humble beginnings and limited professional musical experience, Gilberto’s serendipitous involvement in the recording of The Girl from Ipanema in 1964 propelled her to stardom. Her smooth rendition of the English verses, harmonizing with the sonorous saxophone of American Stan Getz and her husband’s guitar accompaniment, resonated with audiences worldwide. Her distinctive talent made waves in the music industry, earning her the honor of being nominated for a Grammy – which she won, for song of the year, in 1965.
After the song’s success, Gilberto’s professional and personal life became intertwined, taking an unforeseen trajectory. Her enchanting voice and charismatic persona caught the eye of Getz, leading to a tumultuous affair that ended her marriage and led to her permanent relocation to the US. This chaotic period resulted in some of the most cherished recordings of all time, entrenching her status as the “Queen of Bossa Nova.”
Despite claiming to have never received royalties from her most renowned song, Gilberto continued to deliver hits like Fly Me to the Moon (1972) and Far Away (1977). Before she separated from Getz, she ventured into songwriting, recording albums like Astrud Gilberto Now and That Girl from Ipanema, before retiring in 2001. Her significant contribution to music was recognized in 2002 when she was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame and later awarded a Latin Grammy for Lifetime Achievement in 2008.
Gilberto’s passing has left a void in the music world, with tributes pouring in from artists worldwide. English rock musician Tim Burgess and American musician Mark Lambert expressed their respect and admiration for the iconic singer on social media. Her influence and impact on Brazilian music will forever be remembered. The heartfelt words of Bebel Gilberto, João Gilberto’s daughter, honored the Brazilian singer as her “eternal Muse.” “(May) you sing with birds and angels,” she wrote on Instagram.
With AFP.