bossa nova
Soft Rio sound
Bossa nova is a style of Brazilian music that emerged in the late 1950s, blending samba rhythms with jazz harmonies in a soft, intimate style.
The Portuguese phrase means "new trend" or "new wave." The genre is characterized by gentle vocals, subtle guitar work, and sophisticated chord progressions: We listened to bossa nova at the café.
By extension, bossa nova describes the relaxed, swaying dance that accompanies this music.
Brazilian coastal metropolis
- IpanemaRio de Janeiro beach district
- CopacabanaRio de Janeiro beachfront
Relaxed 1950s improvisational music
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
blue note · fusion · jam session · standard · bebop · scat · polyrhythm · combo
Unplugged stringed instrument
- nylon stringsPolymer guitar cords
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- vocalsSung musical parts
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
fingerpicking · rhythm guitar · percussion · arrangement · ballad · serenade · tempo · groove
Free of stress
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- suaveSmoothly refined in manner
- mellowSoft, ripe, relaxed
smooth · intimate · understated · cool · serene · effortless · urbane · romantic
Joined with another
- close embraceTight hold between bodies
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- box stepRectangular dance footwork
- ballroomVenue for formal dances
smooth · gliding · slow tempo · fluid · graceful
Decade after the fifties
- vinylSynthetic resin plastic
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
- beatnikFifties counterculture member
- coffeehouseEstablishment serving brewed beverages
lounge · cocktail culture · mod · jet set · hi-fi · retro · mid-century · bachelor pad
Rio de Janeiro
Brazilian coastal metropolis
- IpanemaRio de Janeiro beach district
- CopacabanaRio de Janeiro beachfront
cool jazz
Relaxed 1950s improvisational music
- improvisationSpontaneous, unplanned creation
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- harmonyAgreement or musical blend
syncopation · blue note · fusion · jam session · standard · bebop · scat · polyrhythm · combo · chord progression
acoustic guitar
Unplugged stringed instrument
- nylon stringsPolymer guitar cords
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- vocalsSung musical parts
harmony · fingerpicking · rhythm guitar · percussion · arrangement · ballad · serenade · tempo · groove · duet
relaxed
Free of stress
- laid-backCalm and unhurried
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- suaveSmoothly refined in manner
mellow · smooth · intimate · understated · cool · serene · effortless · urbane · romantic · wistful
partnered
Joined with another
- close embraceTight hold between bodies
- swayingRhythmic lateral movement
- box stepRectangular dance footwork
1960s
Decade after the fifties
- vinylSynthetic resin plastic
- countercultureRejection of mainstream values
- beatnikFifties counterculture member
coffeehouse · lounge · cocktail culture · mod · jet set · hi-fi · retro · mid-century · bachelor pad · exotica
- Lusophone MediaTerra, telenovelas, IG, Brazilian music, fado
- cultural artsart, music, dance, theater, opera
- genresaction, comedy, detective fiction, fantasy, horror
- music genresblues, pop, jazz, rock, classical
- BrazilRio, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Brasilia, Amazon River
- Latin AmericaArgentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Cuba
bossa novaheavy metal
Aggressive amplified rock genre
thrash metal · death metal · punk rock · hardcore punk · grindcore