World Music Wednesday is a new weekly segment on The North 103.3 FM. Every Wednesday at 4pm on Northland Afternoon, we will feature a brand-new release or a significantly important past work from our vast library of music from around the world.
Support for World Music Wednesday comes from Simply Ballroom in Duluth's Craft District
Today's World Music Wednesday spotlights the music of Brazilian singer Bebel Gilberto. She is the daughter of two famous Brazilian musicians, singer Miucha, and legendary composer and guitarist João Gilberto, often called the "father of Bossa Nova music." Born in New York City in 1965, she traveled extensively throughout her childhood with both of her parents and began singing at an early age. Spending time with her father and many of his friends, she was exposed to music continuously and began recording and performing in her pre-teen years.
After making several solo and collaborative recordings in the 80s and 90s, she released the platinum selling solo album Tanto Tempo in 2000, a mix of Brazilian styles and electronic music. The lead off track on that album, "Samba da Benção," uses a music bed created by Brazilian electronic artist Amon Tobin, his song "Nova."
Over the past two decades, Bebel Gilberto has continued to explore a mix of world influences, lounge, jazz, and Brazilian pop.
Her mother, Brazilian singer Miucha, passed away in 2018. Her father, João Gilberto, passed away in 2019. In August 2023, Bebel Gilberto released an album honoring her father and his music, the album simply titled João. She describes the album as "a love letter to my father. Since my first album I've never really covered any of my Dad's music. Now it's time to present to the public the songs from João Gilberto that have influenced me since I was born - and even before."
