What is bossa nova music1 min read

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What is Bossa Nova?

Bossa nova is a type of Brazilian music that was founded in the late 1950s. It has a smooth, mellow sound that is often described as romantic and has been heavily influenced by jazz.

The History of Bossa Nova

Bossa nova was created in Brazil in the late 1950s by a group of musicians who were looking to create a new sound that was a departure from the samba music that was popular at the time. The name “bossa nova” is Portuguese for “new trend”, and the music was heavily influenced by jazz, which was becoming popular in the United States. The first bossa nova song, “Bim-Bom”, was recorded by João Gilberto in 1958.

The Sound of Bossa Nova

Bossa nova is characterized by its smooth, mellow sound that often has a romantic feeling to it. The music is often played on acoustic instruments such as guitars and acoustic basses, and the rhythm is often very relaxed and laid-back.

The Influence of Jazz

Bossa nova was heavily influenced by jazz, which was becoming popular in the United States at the time. The jazz influence is most evident in the chord progressions and improvisations used in bossa nova music.

The Popularity of Bossa Nova

Bossa nova became popular in Brazil in the 1950s and soon spread to other countries. The first bossa nova song to become popular in the United States was “The Girl from Ipanema”, which was recorded by João Gilberto and Astrud Gilberto in 1962. The song became a huge hit and helped to popularize bossa nova in the United States.