When you walk in the town of Tokyo and enter various shops, you can almost always hear bossa nova. Bossa nova, music beloved by a wide range of people regardless of age and now enrooted in the daily lives of people in Tokyo, was created by a singer/guitarist in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil about 50 years ago.
The person's name is João Gilberto. He presented the samba rhythm with just one guitar and added a sophisticated novel harmony to traditional samba music. Through his cool and delicate singing voice, as if he was whispering in somebody's ear, he established a new style of music presentation, which was later called bossa nova.
A composer who admired João's such talent was Antônio Carlos Jobim. He composed many songs for João such as "The Girl from Ipanema," "Desafinado," and "One Note Samba." Through João's gvoice and guitar,h these songs, spread throughout the world from Brazil and are still kept alive as standard numbers representing the popular music of the 20th century.
João Gilberto rarely performs concerts and is covered by a mysterious veil. It was in September 2003 when João Gilberto's first Japan tour, which can be called a miracle, was realized, after 45 years since the creation of bossa nova and when he was over 70 years old. Tickets for a total of 20,000 seats in 4 concerts were sold out in a minute and the Hall A of the Tokyo International Forum on September 11 was filled with an unusual atmosphere of the expectation and tension of 5,000 people who were witnessing a historical moment.
João's voice and guitar gently permeated the large hall.
5,000 people were overwhelmed by the magnificent world which was created by only one person.
Silence and excitement, tension and relaxation. Everybody was fascinated by João's magic and almost 2 hours, which was thought to be permanent, passed away in a moment. João was also impressed with the Japanese audience whom he met for the first time and told his staff, gI've been looking for such an audience for years. Japan is wonderful.h As proof that this was not a diplomatic remark, with João's strong desire, a live CD gJoão Gilberto in Tokyoh in which the concert at the Tokyo International Forum was recorded, was released all over the world.
João, who became enraptured of Japan, visited again in 2004. He will now gbe backh for the third time in November 2006. What sort of legend will be born in Hall A of the Tokyo International Forum this year, which has almost become his castle?
João Gilberto photo (Front Page/P.2-3/P.4): P-2 VIBRATION
Cooperation: Toh-Ten-Koh Tokyo International Forum Branch/Universal Music K.K.
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