Helping to create the foundations of Bossa Nova, which is probably even more popular globally than Samba, the man often known simply as Tom Jobim has done more than most to put Brazilian music on the global map. An awful lot of that has to do with the fact he wrote the classic ‘Garota de Ipanema’ (The Girl from Ipanema). Now a Jazz standard, and covered by everyone who is anyone, it not only helped Jobim but allowed him to champion traditional Brazilian rhythms across the world.

As an accomplished pianist, Jobim helped popularise the use of keys alongside the dominant stringed instruments favoured in most Brazilian music, while taking traditional rhythms in new directions. If you’ve ever listened to soft Jazz while out for the evening or enjoyed Open Ear favourites Zara McFarlane, Quantic or even Thievery Corporation then you owe Tom Jobim a nod. In short, the influence from Jobim’s Bossa Jazz is everywhere and it’s fair to say he also put out a great number of amazing tunes by himself that we're rather keen on. Having worked alongside Stan Getz, Frank Sinatra and Ella Fitzgerald his songs went on to be covered by greats such as Herbie Hancock and Oscar Peterson. It should come in no surprise that he was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 54^th Grammy Awards.

Check out the albums: Getz/Gilberto and Elis & Tom to see what we mean.

 

Here’s Jobim and Ol’ Blue Eyes performing ‘The Girl From Ipanema’