Astrud Gilberto (1940-2023) and The Girl From Ipanema

Astrud Gilberto, who could sing in English but was not a

professional performer, was in the right place at the right time

and recorded the song that is widely considered the

cultural anthem of Brazil -- The Girl From Ipanema.

"She was an important part in all that is Brazilian music," said

Paul Ricci, her collaborator, in confirming Gilberto's death

on social media. The cause of death was not immediately

stated.

In 1963, the woman who would become a

bossa nova pioneer was accompanying husband Joao Gilberto

to New York City and was tapped to sing Girl From Ipanema

because she could sing in English for the North American

potential audience.  The vocalist's soft and sexy rendition

marked her first-ever recording and her greatest success in

a four-decades-long career. Her husband Joao was widely

regarded as the father of the bossa nova, a Brazilian

expression of samba music.

Two business partners had become enthralled by a

young woman named Heloísa Pinheiro who often

strolled past their bistro in Rio de Janeiro near Ipanema beach.

Heloísa was the inspiration for The Girl From Ipanema in the original

Brazilian/Portuguese version, Garota de Ipanema.

The Girl From Ipanema was a worldwide hit in the 60's and

was honored as Record of the Year in 1965.

Astrud Gilberto was 83.

Credit... New York Post and New York Times obituaries.