The brilliant music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, known affectionately by Brazilians as “Tom,” and one of Brazil’s most highly esteemed musicians, will be performed and celebrated by superstar singer/guitarist/composer/actor Seu Jorge and singer/pianist/composer/producer Daniel Jobim on Friday, October 6 at 9 pm (doors 8 pm) at Boston’s John Hancock Hall (180 Berkeley Street, Boston 02116).
While Brazil has enjoyed its share of huge international pop music festivals, the country, without question, is most remembered as the source of Bossa Nova, the smooth, sensuous distillation of the samba, wrought by the composer, Antonio Carlos Jobim with his international mega-hit, “The Girl from Ipanema.”
The song became the catalyst for a whole new movement of Brazilian-inspired music. In the United States, the music was closely associated with jazz, especially after Stan Getz recorded this song with Brazilian Astrud Gilberto. It would be accurate to suggest that Jobim, with his wonderfully catchy and romantic music, helped turn the cultural spotlight on Brazil during the 1950s and 1960s when the bossa nova “craze” first took hold, only to go on to become established as a permanent part of the American musical landscape. It has inspired and influenced several generations of performers, ranging from Frank Sinatra to Sting, and beyond. Sinatra, in fact, was once quoted to the effect that “working with my good friend, Jobim, was an absolute joy. We were raised in different countries, but we share the same deep love and respect for great talent . . . musicians, lyricists, composers and fellow singers.”
Superstar Seu Jorge is known throughout the globe as an ebullient and funky–‘dance your heart out’ performer, appearing with large ensembles with electric guitars and percussionists of many persuasions and on big stages such as at The Montreux Jazz Festival and Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
This show in Boston on October 6, promises to be of a much more intimate nature, where audience members will get to see him in an up-close and much more personal setting.
The idea for this show and the tour started almost by accident at a birthday party! Daniel Jobim, who is Antoniou Carlos Jobim’s grandson, was waiting in front of the house where it was to take place, when suddenly Seu Jorge arrived in a taxi. The two musicians had a surprise reunion! A few days later, Daniel received a message: ‘Comendador wants to talk to you!’
During the show, Daniel Jobim and Seu Jorge will each offer moments of nostalgia, great stories and personal impressions about Jobim, the poet. Seu Jorge always wanted to interpret Tom’s work and saw the opportunity arise after meeting Daniel Jobim again.
“Antonio Carlos Jobim was, without a doubt, one of the greatest composers in the world and we were lucky for him to be Brazilian and one of the greatest heroes of our music. Jobim had a brilliant mind and he created music that is genuinely Brazilian with its beautiful chords and pure poetry. His songs will eternally fill people’s hearts with joy, romanticism and hope,” reflected Seu Jorge.
The versatility of the sovereign maestro‘s work merged with the artist. Antonio Carlos Jobim was a composer, pianist, arranger, singer and guitarist and he would have turned 93 in January this year. One of the greatest icons of MPB left us at 67. He was one of the most important Brazilian artists to present the sounds of samba, classical music, jazz and bossa nova to an international level of relevance. From partnerships with João Gilberto, Chico Buarque, Baden Powell and Frank Sinatra, Tom has been a key part of the history of Brazilian culture and he left an extensive legacy of film soundtracks, contributions, albums and collaborations.
“I, fortunately, have many memories of my grandfather as I was able to stay with him for a long time. He used to start playing songs very early in the morning, beginning at 6 am. There were classical pieces that he practiced every day. Before composing he would play some music and he would study beforehand. When he finally started to compose tunes, his creative ideas had already been emerging. I remember him playing Brahms, Chopin, Debussy, Rachmaninov. Early in the morning there was already that enlightened music in the house. It really leaves a mark: one never forgets,” says Daniel.
“Seu Jorge invited me to do a video call. I accepted right away! We are very good friends and I was very happy,” explains Daniel about the beginning of the project.
“I was also very happy to begin the tour in Porto Alegre. Porto Alegre is the Jobin capital,” he laughs. “Tom’s family came from São Gabriel and also Santa Maria. We have many relatives in Porto Alegre,” says Daniel.
In the Jobim repertoire, Tom sings about love and of Rio de Janeiro especially in his collaborations with Vinicius de Moraes and many others in songs. “Corcovado,” “Garota de Ipanema,” “Luíza,” “Eu Sei Que Vou Te Amar,” “Ligia” and “A Felicidade” are among his numerous hits.
As for the tunes chosen for the show, Daniel quickly says: “The selection of songs was something quite easy, according to each one’s heart, we chose the songs that Seu Jorge likes to sing. It is very good, because the show flows very naturally and this will be reflected on stage. These are songs that we like and are familiar to us.”
For Seu Jorge, interpreting Tom’s songs is filled with warm feelings: “Singing this repertoire is an incredible gift for me and at the same time it’s an enormous challenge! Love is back. Tom Jobim lives on,” declares the musician.
Tickets from $79 to $250 are on sale now at www.CamaroteTickets.com.
