Brazilian singer Astrud Gilberto, renowned for her rendition of “The Girl from Ipanema,” passed away at the age of 83. Paul Ricci, a family friend, and musician, confirmed her demise through a Facebook post.
Ricci expressed, “She was an integral part of Brazilian music worldwide and her vibrant presence impacted many lives.” On Tuesday, Sofia Gilberto, the vocalist’s granddaughter, also shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram. She wrote, “I will forever love Astrud, who embodied the essence of bossa nova across the globe. Astrud will always remain in our hearts, and it is now a time to celebrate her.”
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“The Girl from Ipanema,” originally composed by Antonio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, had already gained popularity in South America during the 1960s. In 1964, the song reached the United States when a producer involved in the “Getz/Gilberto” album, featuring Astrud’s former husband João Gilberto and jazz legend Stan Getz, recognized the opportunity to enhance its appeal by adding English lyrics.
During the recording, Astrud Gilberto was asked to sing a portion of the song in English due to her limited understanding of the language. This decision, as reported by the Associated Press, led to her becoming an overnight sensation and contributing significantly to the global recognition of bossa nova.
“The Girl from Ipanema” received the prestigious Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1965. Gilberto received nominations for Best New Artist and Best Vocal Performance. Initially uncredited on the track, she received a standard session fee of $120 for her performance, according to the BBC.
Gilberto later collaborated with renowned artists and producers such as Quincy Jones and George Michael. She released multiple albums throughout her career, with her final one, “Jungle,” being released in 2002. In 2008, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Grammys, honoring her contributions to the music industry.
