Book, Amoroso: a biography of João Gilberto[LS]

Language: Brazilian Portuguese. The life and work of the creator of bossa nova, revisited by one of our greatest musical researchers There are no longer any superlatives left to characterize João Gilberto's music. With his unparalleled voice and guitar, the creator of bossa nova was revered throughout the world — until he left us, aged 88, in July 2019. Written by producer and music researcher Zuza Homem de Mello, Amoroso is the first biography dedicated to the Bahia de Juazeiro. A character as passionate as he is idiosyncratic, João Gilberto is portrayed here through the prism of his art. From Salvador to Tokyo, passing through New York, Rio de Janeiro and Mexico City, we are taken to the studios, theaters, bars, clubs and festivals where João visited, and we meet the composers, arrangers, instrumentalists, producers, journalists, music technicians sound and businesspeople who crossed his path. A music lover with encyclopedic knowledge, the author reconstructs the musical trajectory of his friend and idol in light and cheerful prose, always elegant and precise — as João taught. “Zuza was justifiably the most respected Brazilian journalist and musicologist specializing in Brazilian music and jazz. He was excellence itself.” —Wynton Marsalis