The Bossanova

Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music created by Antonio Carlos Jobim and João Gilberto and first introduced in Brazil by Gilberto's recording of "Chega de Saudade", in 1958, a song written by Antonio Carlos Jobim, first released as a single, and shortly thereafter as the album by Gilberto, bearing the same title as the song (1959).

With Antonio Carlos Jobim as "guru", bossa-nova acquired a large following right away, comprising young musicians, as well as fans, mostly young people, often college students. Later on, people of all ages and of all walks of life have also become admirers of the style.

The music derives from samba but is more complex harmonically and less percussive. The influence on bossa nova of North American jazz styles such as cool jazz is often debated by historians and fans, but a similar "cool sensibility" is apparent.