The Girl from Ipanema: Brazil, Bossa Nova and the Beach
Katie Derham travels to Rio de Janeiro to explore the story behind Brazil's most famous and enduring song, which defines the moment Brazil charmed the world in the 1960s.
Documentary in which Katie Derham travels to Rio de Janeiro (where her father was born) to explore the story behind Brazil's most famous and enduring song. Written in 1962 by Antonio Carlos Jobim with lyrics by Vinicius de Moraes, and a later English translation by Norman Gimbel, The Girl from Ipanema defines the moment Brazil charmed the world with a laid-back song about a haunting woman.
It's a vibrant musical journey to the stunning beaches, majestic mountains and buzzy clubs of Rio, where Katie meets key musicians and architects of bossa nova, including Carlos Lyra, Roberto Menescal, Joyce, Daniel Jobim and Marcos Valle, witnesses intimate musical performances, and uncovers the genesis and story behind Brazil's most successful musical export.
The Girl from Ipanema is quintessential bossa nova and tracing its roots reveals the fascinating story of this unique musical style. Invented by a gang of young bohemians in Rio in the late 50s, bossa grew into a 60s phenomenon, especially in the US where it became a youth craze and later a significant part of the modern jazz repertoire. The Girl from Ipanema, as sung by Astrud Gilberto with sax from Stan Getz, went top five in the US and became a major international hit in 1964.
Nothing sums up Rio as well as the simple and seductive lyrics to The Girl from Ipanema. What better way to get to understand the city, its people and its mid-60s zeitgeist than through its most famous song?
Last on
Music Played
Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes
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João Gilberto, Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto
The Girl From Ipanema
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Frank Sinatra & Antônio Carlos Jobim
The Girl From Ipanema
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Johnny Patrick
The Girl From Ipanema
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Grupo Batuque
Ole Ola
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Grupo Batuque
Isto e Samba
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João Gilberto
Bim Bom
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Maysa
Ouca
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Barney Kessel
Fly Me to the Moon
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Nara Leão
Diz Que Fui Por Ai
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João Gilberto
Chega de Saudade
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João Gilberto
Doralice
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Mônica Vasconcelos
So Tinha de Ser Com Voce
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Maria João Pires
Nocturnes Op 9
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Nova Banda
Insensatez
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The Ipanemas
Imperial
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Tamba Trio
Batida Diferente
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Roberto Menescal
Surfboard
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Stan Getz & Charlie Byrd
Desafinado
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Miles Davis
So What
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Oscar Castro Neves Quartet
Influencia do Jazz
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Eydie Gormé
Blame it on the Bossa Nova
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Oscar Castro Neves Quartet
Nao Faz Assim
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Vinicius de Moraes
Canto de Ossanha
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Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto
The Girl From Ipanema
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Astrud Gilberto
The Girl From Ipanema
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Nat King Cole
The Girl From Ipanema
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Cher
The Girl From Ipanema
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Ella Fitzgerald
The Girl From Ipanema
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Amy Winehouse
The Girl From Ipanema
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Billie Jo Spears
Yesterday
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Joyce
Feminina
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Nara Leão
Opiniao
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Gilberto Gil & Jorge Ben Jor
Filhos de Gandhi
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Paula Morelenbaum & Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum
Agua de Beber
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Toquinho & Vinicius de Moraes
Carta Ao Tom 74
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00:32Miles Davis Sextet
So What - Original
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00:32Miles Davis
So What - Original
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Katie Derham |
| Producer | Andy Dunn |
| Director | Andy Dunn |
| Executive Producer | Mark Cooper |
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