RIP: João Gilberto

The Brazilian father of bossa nova has passed away this weekend at the age of 88. He was one of the most influential South American musicians of all time and a true pioneer of a genre that will always be remembered with his name.

Photograph: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

He was a singer, guitarist and a composer who had begun his musical career in the late 40s. However his revolutionary singing style caused him to be put in a mental hospital by his father. Obviously this didn't last very long and he returned to Rio where he met Antonio Carlos Jobim and his musical life began to change for good.
His first album "Chega de Saudade" which is often referred as the first bossa nova album became hugely successful all over the world.

Most probably his most famous recording was the one he made with Stan Getz in 1964. It was called Getz/Gilberto and featured Jobim and Gilberto's wife Astrud (after the album she had a relationship with Stan Getz).

Here is the opening track from this great album, "Girl From Ipanema"...

Farewell shy king of the bossa nova. You will be missed.