João Gilberto, often credited with inventing bossa nova, has died. He was 88. His son, João Marcelo Gilberto, made the announcement on Facebook. “Deep sadness,” wrote his daughter-in-law. “All he wanted was to be with us and to play with his granddaughter.” Some music historians credit Gilberto with writing the first bossa nova song ever, “Bim-Bom.” The genre came out of Brazilian samba, incorporating the same complicated rhythms without drums and played at a quieter volume. Bossa nova came into international acclaim when American jazz musician Stan Getz collaborated with him on Getz/Gilberto, still one of the best-selling jazz albums of all time, per NPR. The breakout track was “The Girl from Ipanema,” co-sung with Gilberto’s then-wife Astrud. Getz/Gilberto won Grammys for Album of the Year and Record of the Year for “Girl from Ipanema” in 1965. Gilberto kept performing into the 21st century. He is survived by his three children.
