Bossa Nova Royalty Bebel Gilberto @ Montreal Jazz Festival
If we were to genetically engineer the ultimate Bossa Nova singer, the result would be Bebel Gilberto. As Femi Kuti is to Afro Beat, Bebel is to Bossa Nova. She is the daughter of the legendary João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is Chico Buarque. Her childhood was spent touring the world with her parents. The music of Brazil is in her blood.
If not familiar with this musical style, look no further than the anthem The Girl From Ipanema that her father composed with Stan Getz. Bossa Nova is the musical expression of the Brazilian concept of Saudade : an intense feeling of nostalgic melancholy. A wistful longing for the present moment as it slips away forever…
Bebel began her career at the tender age of seven, singing on her mothers first solo album Miúcha & Antônio Carlos Jobim, performing at major venues like Carnegie Hall with her mother and Stan Getz. She launched her first solo EP in 1986 at the age of twenty. Her music is characterized by the combination of bossa nova with downtempo electronic music. In total, she has released four E.P.’s, seven studio albums and three remix albums. Legions of fans have purchased over 2.5 million copies of her albums. Her music has been nominated for several Grammy Awards.
Bebel Gilberto has collaborated with everyone from David Byrne (Talking Heads), Thievery Corporation, Towa Tei (Deee-Lite), Mike Patton (Faith No More, Mr Bungle), Brazilian Girls, Mark Ronson, Mario Caldato Jr (Beastie Boys), Kruder & Dorfmeister, King Britt, 4 Hero. She was sampled by the brilliant Amon Tobin on his seminal track “Nova”.
For the film Eat Pray Love she recorded a cover of Neil Young‘s classic “Harvest Moon“. Her music has been featured in TV shows like Sex and the City, 24, Six Feet Under, CSI Miami, Nip/Tuck as well as in major films like Closer, Rio and Next Stop Wonderland (one of my all time favourite films featuring Phillip Seymore Hoffman’s best performance).
Performing at the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Theatre Maisonneuve, Place Des Arts. Saturday June 29th. 8pm. Opening act: Jane Bunnett and Maquque. Still tickets left here!
Wait there is more hot stuff on the bill, Steele Pulse will be adding some good vibes to the Jazz Fest as well.
