Bebel Gilberto to Bring Her Brazilian Bossa Nova Flavor to El Rey Theatre

Fred Hernandez

Brazilian Bossa Nova singer Bebel Gilberto will be performing at the El Rey Theatre on Dec. 6. Born in New York City and raised by Brazilian bossa nova pioneers, João Gilberto and Miúcha, Bebel was constantly surrounded by music. Her father would often have artists such as Caetano Veloso, David Byrne and Stan Getz come over to the house and collaborate on music. At the age of seven, Bebel made her recording debut on her mother’s first solo album “Miúcha and Antonio Carlos Jobima” (1977). Two years later, she would go on to perform at Carnegie Hall with her mother and Stan Getz. Her father pushed her to sing a song that night that instilled a sense of perfectionism in her from then on.

Her professional solo debut came in 1986 with the release of her self-titled EP through WEA. In 1991, she moved back to Manhattan. She currently resides there, but visits her parents in Brazil often. “Tanto Tempo,” translated to “so much time,” was released in 2000 and demonstrated Bebel’s contemporary take on bossa nova that included electronic influences. With this album, she became one of the best-selling Brazilian artists in the U.S. since the 1960s. The album became an instant club hit. It also won two Latin Grammy nominations for Best New Artist and Best Popular Brazilian Album in 2001.

Her second album “Bebel Gilberto” came out Momentoin 2004 and saw a slight departure from her first album into an acoustic lounge sound that highlighted her strengths as a composer and a singer. In 2006, she released “” her third full-length album mixing Rio’s Orquestra Imperial with New York’s Brazilian Girls that created a medley of brilliant bossa nova. English producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna’s partner in “What It Feels Like to be a Girl”) helped her find the right direction for her third release. “All In One,” released through American jazz label Verve, proved to be her most personal record as she spent a lot of time with her then-husband Didie Cunha who worked as executive producer and sound engineer. “All In One” featured a star-studded production cast that included Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen), John King, Daniel Jobim, Carlinhos Brown, Didi Gutman and Mario Caldato Jr. In 2011, her voice was featured on the animated film “Rio.” She continues to collaborate and work with different artists in the bossa nova community.

Bebel Gilberto will be performing at the El Rey Theatre on Dec. 6. Tickets can be purchased here.