bossa nova history
A Brazilian genre created in the late 1950s by blending samba rhythms with cool [jazz](/term/cool%20jazz) harmonies and intimate vocal delivery, revolutionizing both Brazilian and international popular music.
In Depth
Astrud Gilberto sang on "The Girl from Ipanema" only because she happened to be at the recording session (she was João Gilberto's wife) and could sing the English lyrics — it became one of the most recorded songs in history.
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