Bossa Nova & Jazz Brazil

Bossa Nova is a musical style originated in the late '50s. Its themes picture the middle class lifestyle in Rio de Janeiro, at the “Anos Dourados” period. It could be considered as a sophisticated Soft Samba, with harmonies influenced by the Jazz, full of dissonant chords (upper structures) derivated from Bebop and combined with a simplified rhythm section of Samba. The Bossa Nova basic beat comes down to just one measure of Samba on 2 beats (2/4). Due to its complexity of chords, Bossa Nova became the paradise of melodic improvisers, quickly incorporated into Bossa Jazz Trios and in the current Brazilian Jazz.

Some great exponents of Bossa-Nova are: João Gilberto, Antonio Carlos Jobim (Tom Jobim), Newton Mendonça, Johnny Alf, Baden Powell, Vinicius de Moraes, Nara Leão, Roberto Menescal, Carlos Lyra, Sylvia Telles, Tamba Trio, Luiz Eca, Tenorio Jr., Quarteto em Cy, Os Cariocas, Luiz Carlos Vineyards, Elis Regina, Dick Farney, Luis Bonfa, João Donato, Marcos Valle, Durval Ferreira and many others.