Bossa Nova

Bossa nova is a gentle kind of music from Brazil. The name means 'new trend' in Portuguese. It started in the late 1950s in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Bossa nova sounds relaxed and cool, like music for a quiet afternoon.

Where It Came From

Bossa nova was created by Brazilian musicians who loved jazz. They took the fast beat of samba and made it softer. A famous musician named João Gilberto helped invent the style. Another artist, Antonio Carlos Jobim, wrote many famous bossa nova songs. The music quickly spread to the United States.

How It Sounds

Bossa nova music is usually slow and smooth. Singers sing very quietly, almost like they are whispering. The main instrument is the classical guitar with nylon strings. Sometimes a piano, drums, or saxophone joins in. The songs often talk about love, the beach, and the beauty of Brazil.

Fun Facts

• The song 'The Girl from Ipanema' is one of the most famous bossa nova songs ever.
• Bossa nova singers sing softly on purpose to sound calm.
• Ipanema is a real beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Did You Know?

Bossa nova was so popular in the 1960s that it became a dance craze in many countries around the world.