As I’ve mentioned before, I had become an avid jazz fan just after my first GB gig (general business performance). When I played this gig, the focus was on providing dance music for the patrons. In addition to the ballroom dance styles such as the fox trot, the lindy, the peabody, and the up-tempo swing, there were the Latin American dances styles like the cha-cha, the rhumba, and the tango. All of these types of dances were part of the standard ballroom style that had been popular since the 1930s. However, there was a bit of a buzz about a new type of ballroom dance called the Bossa Nova. No one was quite sure of the correct way to dance to this type of music, but you can be sure that people found a way.

The Bossa Nova had something very special that not only appealed to ballroom dancers; it caught the ear of jazz musicians. In about 1958, Brazilian composer Antonio Carlos Jobim (1927-1994) developed this style of music. Antonio (aka “Tom” Jobim to his fellow countrymen) became well-known in his native country in part because of his collaboration with poet and diplomat, Vinicius de Moraes (1913-1980) who penned many of the lyrics for his songs. About four years after the 1959 film Black Orpheus introduced the Bossa Nova to American audiences, there was no stopping the popularity of this musical genre.

Desafinado (English title: Slightly Out of Tune) was recorded by jazz tenor saxophonist Stan Getz (1927-1991) and jazz guitarist Charlie Byrd (1925-1999). Getz’s cool jazz style coupled with Byrd’s use of the classical guitar (which he preferred to the standard electric guitar used by other jazz guitarists) made the perfect vehicle for introducing the Bossa Nova to American jazz audiences.

However, it was the next recording by Stan Getz that brought this type of music to American audiences. Getz/Gilberto featured the Brazilian guitarist/vocalist Joao Gilberto and the composer himself, Antonio Carlos Jobim, on piano. The album’s featured selection, The Girl from Ipanema, was sung by Astrud Gilberto (Gilberto’s then current wife). This song went on to become one of the most well-known singles of all time, winning two Grammy Awards and even surpassing the rank of the Beatles’ A Hard Day’s Night.

That was in 1963. Although I enjoyed hearing The Girl from Ipanema on the radio, it wasn’t until about 1965 or so that I began playing Desafinado and other Bossa Novas. In addition to American jazz musicians, Getz and Byrd, flutist Herbie Mann (born Herbert Solomon 1930-2003) spent time in Rio de Janeiro exploring this genre and his recordings became an influence on my jazz composing style. Another performer who inspired me as both a jazz pianist and composer was Brazilian arranger and pianist, Sergio Mendes. With his ensemble Brazil ’66, Mendes not only performed his fellow countryman’s music, he also arranged popular music by the Beatles and Burt Bacharach in the Bossa Nova style.

Needless to say, with the exposure to the Bossa Nova that I had in my early years of performing and developing as a jazz pianist, I have always enjoyed including Desafinado along with many other Jobim tunes. In addition to the infectious rhythm, the harmonic language (chords) is the same type used in jazz and standards: major 7ths, minor 7ths, 9ths, etc. One of the reasons for the English title of this song, Slightly Out of Tune, is because Desafinado can be translated as “off key”. The reason for this is that the melody often includes a dissonant note such as a #11 tone from the chord (e.g. Cmajor 7^th= C-E-G-B and the sharp 11^th is F#). While this is a legitimate part of the harmony, it keeps the singer on her/his toes and may jar the ear of the listener at the same time.

Perhaps you have not only some favorite Bossa Novas and /or particular recordings of some of them. Please do take a moment to share them with your fellow readers in the comments section. It will also help me to know which ones that you would like to be included in my upcoming series of Blog posts about the Bossa Nova.

As always, if you would like to learn how to play Desafinado, another of your favorite Bossa Novas, or simply need help learning to play the music you love, please do contact the Ed Mascari Piano Studio. Our patient and encouraging instructors will give you the guidance you need to play the piano better and better.