Bossa nova pioneer João Gilberto dies at 88 in Rio de Janeiro

João Gilberto, one of the founding fathers of bossa nova and the iconic guitarist-vocalist behind 'Garota de Ipanema', died on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at his home in Rio de Janeiro at age 88 after a long illness. His son Marcelo Gilberto confirmed the death on Facebook, thanking family and caregiver Maria do Ceu. Born in 1931 in Bahia, Gilberto invented the distinctive 'batida' guitar style using only his thumb, which debuted on the late-1950s album 'Chega de Saudade' by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes, considered the first bossa nova record. The genre fused jazz and samba, building on the work of vocal group Os Cariocas. Gilberto's 1962 album 'Getz/Gilberto' with saxophonist Stan Getz included 'Garota de Ipanema', later covered by Frank Sinatra in 1967, spreading bossa nova worldwide. The album sold millions and won multiple Grammy Awards. Gilberto lived in New York for 20 years, collaborating with jazz greats, and later influenced the Tropicalia movement alongside Gilberto Gil, Caetano Veloso, and Maria Bethânia. Singer Gal Costa called him 'the greatest genius of Brazilian music'.