Her version of “The Girl from Ipanema” is one of the world’s most famous bossa nova songs: Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto has died at the age of 83. In addition to samba standards, she also sang jazz evergreens and pop classics.
Astrud Gilberto, singer of the worldwide hit “The Girl From Ipanema”, has died in Philadelphia at the age of 83. This was confirmed by musician and family friend Paul Ricci. He wrote on Facebook: “She was an important part of everything that Brazilian music is in the world today and changed many lives with her energy.”
Gilberto became an overnight superstar in 1964 when the ballad written in Portuguese by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes was released on the album Getz/Gilberto in an English version as The Girl From Ipanema.
First Brazilian to win a Grammy
Astrud Gilberto was then married to the musician João Gilberto, who was collaborating with the American saxophonist Stan Getz. The bossa nova album consisted of a mixture of songs in Portuguese and English. “Garota de Ipanema” was already a hit in Portuguese – the English version with Astrud Gilberto became a worldwide success. With this version, the singer was also the first Brazilian to be awarded a Grammy. After “Yesterday” by the Beatles, the song is considered the most covered piece of modern times.
The album “Getz/Gilberto” sold millions of copies. The three toured and recorded until 1969, including the Astrud Gilberto Album and Beach Samba. But then there was a rift, and the Gilbertos’ marriage broke up. The bossa nova pioneer died in Rio de Janeiro in 2019 at the age of 88.
A performance by Astrud Gilberto at the Jazz Festival in The Hague in 1982. Throughout her career she not only sang bossa nova standards, but also jazz and pop songs.
Astrud Gilberto released seven more albums up until 2002, but continued to give concerts afterwards. In 2008 she received a Latin Grammy for lifetime achievement. Gilberto has worked with the likes of James Last, Gil Evans, Chet Baker and George Michael throughout her career.
The Brazilian singer has been married twice and had two sons, João Marcelo Gilberto and Gregory Lasorsa, both of whom worked with her.