João Gilberto

Born: 1931-06-10

João Gilberto Prado Pereira de Oliveira, known as João Gilberto (June 10, 1931), is a Brazilian singer, songwriter, and guitarist. His recordings, including many songs by Antônio Carlos Jobim and Vinicius de Moraes, established the musical genre of bossa nova in the late 1950s. Bossa nova ("new style") is a refined version of samba, de-emphasizing the percussive aspect of its rhythm and enriching the melodic and harmonic content. Rather than relying on the traditional Afro-Brazilian percussive instruments, João Gilberto often eschews all accompaniment except his guitar, which he uses as a percussive as well as a harmonic instrument, incorporating the parts of different samba percussion instruments such as the tamborim and the surdo from a full batucada band. The singing style he developed is almost whispering, economical, and without vibrato. He creates his tempo tensions by singing ahead or behind the beat. He continues to perform, though rarely, to sell-out crowds in Brazil, Europe, North America, and Japan. His planned public performances in Madrid (2009) and New York City (2010) were cancelled with short notice. A 2011 mini-tour of Brazil was cancelled due to health reasons. He is the father of singer Bebel Gilberto (Isabel), via his marriage to Miúcha. Source: Wikipedia


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They Shot the Piano Player

as Self (archive audio)
Released: 2023-10-06

New York, 2010. Jeff Harris, a music journalist, sets out to uncover the truth about Francisco...

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It's All Brazil

as Self
Released: 1997-09-18

A film essay about Brazil discovered through Orson Welles' eyes during the shooting of It's All...

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Brasil

as Self
Released: 1981-12-05

João Gilberto receives Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Maria Bethânia during the recording of...

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Um Desconhecido Bate à Porta

as uncredited
Released: 1958-01-01

The film tells the story of Luciano who hides his identity as a rich boy to work in the stables...

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Copacabana Palace

as Self
Released: 1962-11-03

For three days at the Copacabana Palace in Rio de Janeiro, amorous cross-fertilizations are...

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Where Are You, João Gilberto?

as Himself (archive footage)
Released: 2018-05-05

Where are you, João Gilberto? sets out in the footsteps of German writer Marc Fischer who...

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The Long Voyage of the Yellow Bus

as uncredited
Released: 2023-01-30

For this behemoth, Bressane took his opera omnia and edited it in an order that first adheres to...

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O Barato de Iacanga

as Self
Released: 2019-06-10

Participants recall a series of festivals held on a farm in Brazil during the '70s and '80s that...

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Vinicius de Moraes

as Self - Guitar Player "Eu Não Existo Sem Você" (archive footage)
Released: 2005-11-01

To celebrate the life and the work of a multifaceted creator – playwright, poet, partner of the...

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Bahia de Todos os Sambas

as Self
Released: 1996-09-01

Between August 23 and 31, 1983, at the "Circo Massimo", in Rome, there was a musical event that...

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Isto é Noel Rosa

as uncredited
Released: 1990-01-05

The life of samba composer Noel Rosa.

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Eu, Meu Pai e Os Cariocas

as Self
Released: 2017-04-19

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Rita Lee - Biograffiti: Baila Comigo

as uncredited
Released: 2007-12-31

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Coisa Mais Linda - Histórias e Casos da Bossa Nova

as Self (archive footage)
Released: 2005-01-01

Documentary about the birth of bossa-nova, in Brazil, and the major stars of this musical style.

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Garoto - Vivo Sonhando

as Self (voice)
Released: 2020-09-10

A prodigy of stringed instruments, a pioneer of Bossa Nova, a modernizing master of the guitar:...

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O Gerente

as uncredited
Released: 2011-01-22

A bank manager has a secret. He is compelled to bite society women hands.

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João & Antônio

as Self
Released: 1992-12-29

A documentary about the fathers of Bossa Nova: João Gilberto and Antonio Carlos Jobim.

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Bossa Nova: the sound that seduced the world

as Self
Released: 2008-07-29

Mixing Samba, Jazz and sophisticated lyricism, the sultry Bossa Nova sound was spawned in the...

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João Gilberto - Live In Tokyo

as himself
Released: 2004-02-21

In Tokyo is a live concert by João Gilberto, recorded live in Tokyo (Japan) in September 2003...

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Grandes Nomes

as Self
First aired: 1980-03-07

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