Obituary, Astrud Gilberto (1940-2023)

Renowned Brazilian jazz singer Astrud Gilberto, best known for her captivating vocals on the iconic bossa nova hit 'The Girl from Ipanema', passed away on June 5, 2023, at the age of 83, in her home in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gilberto's ethereal voice and gentle presence enchanted audiences worldwide, and came to epitomise the bossa nova craze of the sixties.

Born Astrud Evangelina Weinert on March 29, 1940, in Salvador in the Brazilian state of Bahia to a Brazilian mother and German father, she was raised in Rio de Janeiro. Her father was a language professor, which no doubt helped her become fluent in several languages, and her mother played multiple instruments. In 1959, she married Brazilian guitarist, singer, and composer João Gilberto, often joining him on stage to sing during his concerts.

Her career breakthrough came in 1963 when she was asked by João to perform an English version of 'The Girl from Ipanema' (composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim with Portuguese lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes), during the recording of the album Getz/Gilberto with saxophonist Stan Getz. Gilberto's distinct vocal style, characterised by her half-whispered, intimate delivery, captured the essence of bossa nova. Despite the song becoming a global sensation and propelling her to international fame, it is alleged that she was only paid $120 for her contribution, despite it going on to sell 5 million copies, leading her to call many of the male musicians she worked with in the early days as “wolves posing as sheep”.

Throughout the decade she released a string of critically acclaimed albums, including Stan Getz with Astrud Gilberto (1964), The Astrud Gilberto Album (1965), and A Certain Smile, A Certain Sadness (1966). She also made an appearance alongside Getz performing The Girl from Ipanema in the 1964 film Get Yourself a College Girl. While her early career is synonymous with the Getz-Gilberto collaborations, she continued to craft her musical path as a solo artist. Albums such as Beach Samba (1967), Windy (1968), and Astrud Gilberto Now (1972), showcased her versatility, blending bossa nova with elements of jazz and pop.

Gilberto's son João Marcelo joined her group as a bassist in 1982, touring with her for over a decade, and also took on roles as her road manager, sound technician, and personal assistant, providing crucial support to Gilberto throughout her performances. Adding to the family's musical collaboration, Gilberto's son Gregory Lasorsa played the guitar on the song "Beautiful You" from the album Temperance (1997). In 1990, Gilberto, along with her two sons, established Gregmar Productions, created with the aim of promoting Gilberto's music and exploring new avenues of creativity. Together, they worked towards expanding Gilberto's musical presence and nurturing fresh material.

Beyond her musical contributions, Astrud Gilberto will be remembered for her warm spirit, grace, and humility. She leaves behind an enduring musical legacy that has influenced generations of artists and will continue to inspire future audiences to explore the enchanting rhythms of bossa nova.