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World Mourns the Loss of Brazilian Singer Astrud Gilberto

The music world is mourning the loss of Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto, who died at the age of 83. Gilberto was renowned for her smooth and beguiling voice, and was often referred to as the “Queen of Bossa Nova,” having brought the relaxed and syncopated Brazilian music style to the world. Her passing has left a void in the industry and is being mourned by fans around the world.

A Legendary Career

Astrud Gilberto was born in Salvador, capital of Brazil’s northeastern state of Bahia, in 1940. She married Joao Gilberto, a pioneer of the bossa nova genre and her collaborator on several albums. Gilberto’s first hit was the now-classic song, “The Girl from Ipanema,” which she sang alongside American saxophonist Stan Getz. The song became an international sensation, earning Gilberto the distinction of becoming the first Brazilian to be nominated and win a Grammy award. She recorded 19 albums in total, and her contributions to the Brazilian music industry are immeasurable.

Personal Life and Musical Influence

Despite Gilberto’s success, she claimed to have never earned any royalties for her best-known song, “The Girl from Ipanema.” She only received a day rate for recording it. Gilberto separated from Getz and moved to the United States permanently. However, she continued her career and produced hits like “Fly Me to the Moon” (1972) and “Far Away” (1977), and turned to songwriting with the albums “Astrud Gilberto Now” and “That Girl from Ipanema.” In addition to her musical contributions, Gilberto was also a passionate painter and animal rights activist in her later years.

A Lasting Legacy

Astrud Gilberto’s passing marks another loss for the Brazilian music industry, having already lost iconic figures like Rita Lee and Gal Costa. Gilberto’s contributions to bringing Brazilian music to the world will always be remembered and honored. Her influence has continued long past her retirement from the stage in 2001. Gilberto was awarded a Latin Grammy for lifetime achievement in 2008 and was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame in 2002.

A Final Tribute

As the world mourns the loss of Astrud Gilberto, fans continue to honor her and her contributions to the Brazilian music industry. Tributes from musicians and fans have poured in, with English rocker Tim Burgess paying tribute to Gilberto’s incomparable swing and good taste. American musician Mark Lambert reminisced on Gilberto’s contribution to bringing Brazilian music to the world.

Astrud Gilberto’s music served as a source of inspiration for generations to come. Her legacy is one that will be remembered and honored for years to come.