Astrud Gilberto Obituary, Death – The vocalist who was responsible for one of the songs that has been recorded more than any other in history has passed away. Astrud Gilberto’s silky vocals were a significant factor in “The Girl From Ipanema” becoming a hit all over the world. Her son, bassist Marcelo Gilberto, reported that she had passed away earlier that evening. Her age was 83.
There are several different versions of the narrative regarding who specifically invited Gilberto to perform the song in its groundbreaking English-language version. But according to the woman herself, her husband, the bossa nova icon Joo Gilberto, was the one who suggested it in 1963 during a recording session in New York with jazz great Stan Getz for an album called Getz/Gilberto. The album was called Getz/Gilberto.
It was reported that Gilberto had the greatest English in the room on that particular day. Getz, in a mocking manner, took credit for her participation and even remarked at the time that she was just a housewife who caught a break. Getz’s comments were sexist and offensive. In spite of the fact that she did not receive credit for her vocal debut at the session and that she reportedly made only $120 for the session, she soon after recorded her own solo version of the song. And she freely admits that what transpired after that was unexpected on her end.
The song “The Girl From Ipanema” was largely responsible for bringing Gilberto and the music of Brazil’s bossa nova genre to the attention of music fans in the United States. Four Grammy Awards were bestowed upon the duo Getz/Gilberto, including “Record of the Year” for their breakthrough single. After Gilberto and her husband divorced, she began a solo career, during which she released dozens of albums and worked with artists such as Quincy Jones and Chet Baker. Her work was recognized by the Latin Recording Academy with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the year 2008.
