Vinicius de Moraes - Bossa Nova

Bossa Nova

In 1958, the singer Elizete Cardoso released her album Canção do Amor Demais, marking the beginning of bossa nova. This record consists wholly of compositions by the Jobim-Vinícius partnership, or by either of the two (Canção do Amor Demais, Luciana, Estrada Branca, Chega de Saudade, Outra Vez...). The recording also featured a relatively unknown João Gilberto on two tracks. With the release of this record, Vinícius's career in music (as well as that of many involved with him) may be said to have truly begun.

The songs of Jobim and Vinícius were recorded by numerous Brazilian singers and performers of that time. Renditions of many Jobim-Vinícius's numbers on João Gilberto's first, second and third albums would firmly establish the sound and the core repertory of the bossa nova and would influence a new generation of singers and songwriters especially in Rio de Janeiro. Among these songs are all time hits such as Garota de Ipanema, Insensatez and Chega de Saudade. In August 1962, Vinícius would for the first time perform publicly as singer and entertainer - together with Jobim and Gilberto - at the Rio nightclub Au Bon Gourmet. This was to be the first of his pocket-shows, i.e., performances made to small audiences where he would present future international hits - such as the aforementioned Garota de Ipanema as well as Samba da Benção. Vinícius would also introduce promising new singers at the time, such as Nara Leão. He wasn't a natural singer, with a flat, nasal baritone voice, but he generally had singers singing harmony or background to sweeten the sound.

That first spree as entertainer would end in 1963, as Vinícius returned to his post in the Brazilian representation at UNESCO after his fourth marriage to Nelita Abreu Rocha.