Astrud Gilberto, a Brazilian singer who was 83 and immortalised “The Girl from Ipanema” as a global classic, has died. The musician’s granddaughter Sofia Gilberto announced her passing on Instagram without providing any other details. Sofia wrote in Portuguese, “My grandma Astrud Gilberto made this song for me, it’s called Linda Sofia.” She even requested that I go by Linda Sofia.
‘The Girl from Ipanema’ Famed Singer Astrud Gilberto
“Life is beautiful, as the song says, but I’m here to bring you the sad news that my grandmother became a star today,” she continued. My grandfather Joao Gilberto is standing close to [her]. Astrud was the real girl who introduced bossa nova to the globe from Ipanema.
Paul Ricci, a friend and longtime colleague, reportedly also posted the information on Facebook.
“Her son Marcelo just informed me that Astrud Gilberto has passed away. He requested that this be posted,” the author wrote. “She was a vital component of EVERY aspect of Brazilian music performed worldwide, and her spirit altered many people’s lives. I was referred to as the “chief”; RIP. Thank you AG.
Astrud was raised in Rio de Janeiro after being born in Bahia, Brazil, in 1940. In 1959, she wed the musician Joao Gilberto. Her singing career began on a happy note when she and her husband went to New York in 1963 for a recording session with Stan Getz and fellow Brazilian bossa nova vocalist Antonio Carlos Jobim.
When the session producer required someone who could speak English to assist “The Girl from Ipanema” reach an American audience, Astrud offered her services as the only person who could. Astrud had never recorded before.
Astrid was in the control room when Norm entered with the English lyrics, according to session manager Phil Ramone’s 2010 statement to JazzWax. “Producer Creed Taylor said he wanted to get the song done right away and looked around the room,” according to People.
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“Astrud volunteered, saying she could sing in English,” he said, continuing. Great, Creed said. Although Astrud wasn’t a trained vocalist, she was the lone victim present that evening.
She wasn’t given credit for the song when it was first performed as a duet with her husband, but it was then re-edited without his Portuguese vocals and made available as a solo single, where it soon became famous. Astrud received a nomination for best female vocal performance, and the song ultimately won the Grammy for Song of the Year.
According to People, she separated from Joao in the same year and went on tour with Stan Getz and his band. Astrud was upset when Getz and producer Creed Taylor referred to her as a housewife they had “discovered” when the song became successful.
She stated on her website that nothing could be further from the truth. “I suppose it could appear ‘important’ to have had the ‘knowledge’ to see skill or ‘potential’ in my singing… I suppose I should be flattered by the weight they give this, but I can’t help but be irritated that they used deception in the process.
She did record several jazz albums, including That Girl from Ipanema in 1977, Astrud Gilberto Now in 1972, and The Astrud Gilberto Album in 1965, but “The Girl from Ipanema” was her only significant hit.
In the 1980s, she formed a band and travelled the world with it. In the group, her son Marcelo played bass. Nevertheless, she avoided Brazil because she felt she wasn’t treated fairly there.
She completed the recording of her final album, Jungle, in 2002, at which point she announced an end to all public performances. In the same year, she was inducted into the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. In 2008, she was presented with a lifetime achievement award at the Latin Grammys.
Despite the fact that “The Girl from Ipanema” spent the most of her later years battling animal abuse, her legacy remained. In addition to Marcelo Gilberto, Astrud’s son from her first marriage, Gregory Lasorsa is her other son from her second marriage to Nicholas Lasorsa, which ended in divorce.