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Brazilian Bossa Nova Legend Joao Gilberto Dies Aged 88

Brazilian Bossa Nova Legend Joao Gilberto Dies Aged 88

(Bloomberg) -- Brazilian singer and songwriter Joao Gilberto, one of the icons of Bossa Nova music, has died in Rio de Janeiro aged 88.

One of the most significant names in Brazilian music, Gilberto was born in the north-eastern state of Bahia, but spent the formative part of his career in Rio, popularizing the fusion of samba and jazz that became synonymous with the city.

Brazilian Bossa Nova Legend Joao Gilberto Dies Aged 88

A trilogy of albums released between 1959 and 1961 -- ‘Chega de Saudade’, ‘O Amor, o Sorriso e a Flor‘ and ‘Joao Gilberto’ -- cemented his reputation as one of the originators of Bossa Nova and secured his national and international renown. Gilberto subsequently worked with U.S jazz great Stan Getz and spent years living in New York. Their 1964 ‘Getz/Gilberto’ album, featuring the international hit ‘Girl from Ipanema‘, won a Grammy for Album of the Year.

He died at home in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday, following years of ill health.

To contact the reporter on this story: Bruce Douglas in Brasilia Newsroom at bdouglas24@bloomberg.net

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Juan Pablo Spinetto at jspinetto@bloomberg.net, Sebastian Boyd

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