Bossa nova icon Astrud Gilberto no more, cause of death unknown

Bossa nova icon Astrud Gilberto, renowned for her iconic rendition of "The Girl From Ipanema," passed away at the age of 83, confirmed her son Marcelo. Astrud Gilberto was born in Salvador, Bahia. She recorded an impressive discography of 16 studio albums and two live records during her career that began in the 1960s.

Gilberto's involvement with "Garota de Ipanema" (Girl from Ipanema) came about by chance. Originally composed in 1962 by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinícius de Moraes, the song was recorded in English as "The Girl from Ipanema" by American saxophonist Stan Getz and Brazilian guitarist João Gilberto on March 18, 1963.

During the recording session, A&R engineer Phil Ramone revealed that Astrud Gilberto, who was present in the control room, volunteered to sing on the track when the opportunity arose. Though not a professional singer, she became the unexpected choice to perform the lyrics translated by Norman Gimbel.


"The Girl from Ipanema" went on to become a global sensation, selling over five million copies worldwide and elevating the popularity of bossa nova music on an international scale. Gilberto's vocals on the song earned her a Grammy nomination for Best Vocal Performance by a female, while the track itself won the Grammy for Song of the Year. However, despite the song's success, Gilberto received only $120 in session fees for her work.

Despite her international fame, Astrud Gilberto felt neglected by her home country of Brazil. The Brazilian media's attitude deeply hurt her, and she was eventually shunned by her own country. Following a concert in 1965, she never performed in Brazil again.

Gilberto's granddaughter Sofia, also a musician, expressed her grief on Instagram and highlighted her grandmother's pioneering role in bringing bossa nova to the world. She described Astrud as the face and voice of bossa nova on a global scale and emphasized her everlasting impact on the genre.

Tributes poured in from collaborators and admirers, acknowledging Gilberto's immense contribution to Brazilian music and the lives she touched throughout her career.

FAQs

1. What was Astrud Gilberto’s cause of death?
   It is not revealed yet.
2. How old was Astrud Gilberto when she died?
   At the time of death, she was 83 years old.