This year marks the 50^th Anniversary of bossa nova, and Afropop celebrates with a fantastic new show profiling the creators of the genre as well as those continuing this musical tradition. 

Below is information on artists featured in Afropop Travels to Brazil for Old School and New School Flavor.

Antonio Carlos Jobim (Tom Jobim) (1927 – 1994)
Jobim was one of the most influential composers of music in the 20^th Century, and perhaps THE most influential composer from Brazil EVER.  His classic bossa nova hits have been covered by musicians all over the globe, and spawned a whole subgenre of Jazz (taken to its height by saxophonist Stan Getz).  Aside from his golden pen, Jobim also possessed singing, guitar-playing and piano-playing skills.
Read Jobim’s Wikipedia Entry

Purchase Jobim’s Greatest Hits CD

See Jobim Play With Frank Sinatra









João Gilberto (b. 1931)
Along with Jobim, Gilberto created Bossa Nova and took the world by storm with their fresh new sound.  His 1962 collaboration with Stan Getz, Getz/Gilberto, brought the bossa nova craze to its height in America, and made his wife, Astrud, an international superstar when she was chosen to sing the English lyrics of the iconic “Girl From Ipanema.”
Read Gilberto’s Wikipedia Entry

Purchase Getz/Gilberto CD

Watch Gilberto Play Girl From Ipanema







Bebel Gilberto (b. 1966)
Daughter of Astrud and João, Bebel is a captivating singer who continues the bossa nova tradition started by her parents.  Spicing up her brand of bossa nova with subtle electronica, recent popular mix albums of her music have taken it farther, turning her music into full-blown dance floor anthems and exposing bossa nova to yet another new audience.
Visit Gilberto’s Official Homepage

Visit Gilberto’s MySpace Page

Purchase Gilberto’s New Momento CD

Watch Gilberto’s New Momento Video


Gilberto Gil (b. 1942)
Gilberto Gil is a diverse Brazilian musician whose roots are steeped in bossa nova, but who early on would evolve into new genres while focusing on social awareness and political activism.  He was a huge influence in the Tropicalismo movement of the 1960s, and at one point was even imprisoned and then deported by the Brazilian government before returning in the early 70s to continue a career filled with music and advocacy for environmental issues.

Visit Gil’s Official Homepage

Purchase Gil’s Latest CD

Watch Gil Along with Os Mutantes in the 1960s





Jorge Ben Jor (b. 1942)
Jorge Ben Jor also came of age in the bossa nova era, but quickly branched out into a unique blend of samba, funk and rock (samba-rock).  His rockin’ style flourishes to this day, with bands like Black Eyed Peas remaking his classic hits into modern club faves.


Visit Jorge Ben Jor’s Official Homepage

Purchase Jorge Ben Jor’s Latest CD

Watch Jorge Ben Jor Play Mas Que Nada in 1972


Vinicius Cantuária (b. 1951)
A leader of the neo-Brazil movement, Vinicius is just as comfortable re-interpreting the greats like Jobim and Gilberto as he his collaborating with cutting edge indy artists: Laurie Anderson, David Byrne, Brian Eno, Bill Frisell, and Arto Lindsay.  How does one describe his 21^st Century sound?  His website pegs it as “post-electronica acoustic.”

Visit Cantuária’s Official Homepage

Purchase Cantuária’s Latest CD

Watch Cantuária Live at Tonic in NYC