Brazil has much in common with New Orleans including the large number of musical families populating the two places. Bebel Gilberto is the daughter of the legendary bossa nova icon João Gilberto and the singer Miúcha. She will be playing a rare club date at Tipitina’s on Sunday evening.
Gilberto grew up surrounded by an extended musical family that included her uncle Chico Buarque and family friends like Milton Nascimento, Antonio Carlos Jobim (the acknowledged creator of bossa nova), Caetano Veloso, and João Donato. Though those names, with the possible exception of Jobim, may be unfamiliar to casual world music fans, they are all household names in Brazil.
Gilberto has a stunning voice and has taken her place in the pantheon of Brazilian innovators by captivating fans and earning media acclaim worldwide with her trademark electronic bossa nova. This is not your grandfather’s bossa.
She has earned multiple Grammy nominations over the course of her career. Her sound is modern, yet infused with the incandescent melodies and lyrics about love that define Brazilian music for many listeners. Her lilting performance style has earned her raves for her live shows.
Gilberto’s solo debut came in 1986 with a self-titled EP, which included “Preciso Dizer Que Te Amo (I Need to Say I Love You).” By 2000 and her highly acclaimed release Tanto Tempo, Gilberto took her place in a growing movement of Brazilian music that looks back at the great sounds of an earlier era while pushing the music forward into the 21st century.
This is a rare opportunity for New Orleans listeners to hear one of the great next generation Brazilian performers up close and personal. Don’t miss it.
