Astrud Gilberto, singer of ‘The Girl from Ipanema,’ dead at 83

Associated Press ^ | June 6, 2023 | Hillel Italie

[Olog-hai]

Astrud Gilberto, the Brazilian singer, songwriter and entertainer whose off-hand, English-language cameo on “The Girl from Ipanema” made her a worldwide voice of bossa nova, has died at age 83.

Musician Paul Ricci, a family friend, confirmed that she died Monday. He did not provide additional details.

Born in Salvador, Bahia and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Gilberto became an overnight, unexpected superstar in 1964, thanks to knowing just enough English to be recruited by the makers of “Getz/Gilberto,” the classic bossa nova album featuring saxophonist Stan Getz and her then-husband, singer-songwriter-guitarist João Gilberto.

“The Girl from Ipanema,” the wistful ballad written by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius 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. In a 2002 interview with friends posted on her web site www.astrudgilberto.com, Astrud Gilberto remembered her husband saying he had a surprise for her at the recording studio. …

[rlmorel]

I did not know that...

Yes, the Getz-Gilberto version is soooooo smooth...:)

[Responsibility2nd]

It would be fitting if her funeral cortege included a trip on an elevator.

RIP

 

Jake and Elwood concur.

[OldGoatCPO]

I enjoy the English version, but I prefer the original version of Girl from Ipanema. If people knew the background of the song and lyrics, every (heterosexual) man can relate to it. Sitting alone as a beautiful woman passes you by and you wonder is she alone like you, does she know how beautiful she really is, that smile, that body, that tan, and then you ponder:
“Ah, if she but knew,
That when she passes by,
The world smiles,
Is filled with grace,
And becomes more beautiful,
Because of love.”

[stevio]

Absolutely, love bossa nova especially Jobim. Astrud was a major part of that. God bless her.

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Bossa Nova really took off in the USA around 1961. Such lovely music. In
1961 popular music was still beautiful, devoid of cynicism and brutality.

[ConservativeInPA]

It was hugely influential. I was listing to a Polyphia recording the other day. (They are a prog metal/rock group.) And I did a double take. They had this bossa nova riff in the song. I listened a couple more times and the listened to Girl from Ipanema. Yep, that was where the riff was lifted. I thought that was kinda nice that 20-somethings are still influenced by good music.

[jocon307]

Terrible news. RIP!

[windsorknot]

RIP
Love Bossa nova and all Jobim.

[MeganC]

(-:

I loved that movie!

[chajin]

My classical music course has a full-class section on the origins of Brazilian classical music and its morphing via João Gilberto into bossa nova, which is to Brazil what reggae is to Jamaica and juju to Nigeria. People like the Gilbertos and Sergio Mendes added rhythmic-but-classical dimension to the pop music of the mid 20th century, and music is much better because of them. RIP Astrud.

[ConservativeInPA]

Romantics are rare these days. I suppose young women today would equate that to some cat whistle and be offended. I have several Astrud Gilberto songs in a play list that I call Sultry Jazz, although not all jazz. The elements that ties the list together are sultry voices of beautiful women that should be adored and treated like real ladies. Nothing like this:

Too many freaks today.

[rlmorel]

Yes indeed...good music is...good music!

[Miami Rebel]

That was a favorite LP of my Dad’s: Astrid Gilberto and Stan Getz.

[RushIsMyTeddyBear]

Lovely. Classic.

[windsorknot]

Fantastic album.

[oil_dude]

The best rendition of Girl From Ipanema ever.

[Kartographer]

HeloÌsa Pinheiro was the 'Girl from Ipanema', a Rio native whose daily strolls past the Veloso Bar in 1962 inspired a global hit and put Brazil on the map

[fidelis]

[stylecouncilor]

Lover her. We listen to her often in our house!

[nutmeg]

Yes… RIP, Astrud.