Bossa Nova Music & Reminiscences

Bossa Nova is a sophisticated musical movement characterized by gentleness, lyricism and complex musical textures beneath a simple melodic surface. It originated during the 50's in Brazil, created by Joao Gilberto, defined by the composer Antonio Carlos Jobim, and enriched by the lyrics of the poet Vinicius de Moraes. Paul Winter introduced it to the U.S. in the 60's and interpreters such as Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan and Miles Davis helped make it famous worldwide. The form has continued to flourish and evolve to this day. Peter Coyote narrates this overview of the genre. Artistic photography and graphic devices make it a pleasure to watch, archival footage lends authenticity, and performance clips add entertainment value. The film closes with Jobim playing Girl From Ipanema, still vibrant, still cool (Jobim died in 1994 but was recently memorialized in concert at Carnegie Hall by such figures as Branford Marsalis and Herbie Mann, thus underlining the importance of bossa nova's place in modern music.) Whether you watch for pleasure or information, it's a treat. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Reed)