Vagabond Synth Nerd’s Journal Vol. 88 - Classic Bossa Nova Songs to Cool You Down in the Summer! Bossa Nova Chronicles, Part V

Bossa Nova Classics Covered by Jazz Musicians

Continuing from the previous installment, Bossa Nova Chronicle Part V explores must-listen Bossa Nova masterpieces for the summer, examining composers and performers.
This time, we focus on jazz musicians who have covered essential Bossa Nova tracks introduced in earlier editions, highlighting their albums and songs.

■ Essential Bossa Nova Album: The Legendary João Gilberto – "Chega de Saudade" (1959)

Featured in Bossa Nova Chronicle Part I, João Gilberto’s "Chega de Saudade" is an iconic masterpiece and an eternal classic of Bossa Nova.

I have always held the belief that no cover can surpass the original. This is because the creative energy required to produce a cover rarely exceeds that of the original composition. In fact, I have rarely encountered a cover version of a hit song or classic that I found superior to the original.

However, when I heard Eliane Elias’s rendition of "Chega de Saudade," it was a revelation—completely eye-opening.

■ Recommended Album: Eliane Elias – Three Americas (1997)

Recommended Cover Song: "Chega de Saudade" – A standout cover that surpasses the original.

Eliane Elias' 10th solo album.
A Brazilian pianist, Eliane joined the progressive jazz group Steps Ahead led by Eddie Gomez in 1980. She was previously married to Randy Brecker of the Brecker Brothers and later divorced. She is currently the wife of first-call bassist Marc Johnson.
Eliane’s rendition of "Chega de Saudade" is a duet with guitarist Oscar Castro-Neves. Her hushed, deeply resonant vocals blend seamlessly with Oscar’s guitar, creating an impeccable match. This performance beautifully embodies the essence of saudade that defines the song.

I had the opportunity to see Eliane Elias live at Yaizu City Cultural Center, with her husband, Marc Johnson, on bass. She also performed "Chega de Saudade" that night.
Based on her vocals in Three Americas and the album cover, I had imagined Eliane as a petite and delicate figure—especially since she sings my favorite version of "Chega de Saudade."
However, when she appeared on stage, I couldn’t believe my eyes. Was she over 180 cm tall? Weighing more than 80 kg? She was quite a big (pardon me!) woman—nothing like the image I had from her album cover! (LOL)
My delicate, almost romanticized image of her was shattered, but I must add that her piano playing was absolutely breathtaking—incredibly powerful and commanding.

■ Legendary Bossa Nova Album: Getz/Gilberto – "The Girl from Ipanema" (1964)

■ Recommended Album: Lee Ritenour – Twist of Jobim (1997)

The first installment of Lee Ritenour’s Twist series.
Ritenour has released several themed Twist albums, such as "Twist of Marley" and "Twist of Motown," but in terms of covers, "Twist of Jobim" stands out as the best in every sense. This album focuses on the works of Antonio Carlos Jobim, featuring essential Bossa Nova classics like "Água de Beber," "Lamento," "Waters of March," "Stone Flower," and "Dindi."
With an outstanding lineup of musicians, a well-curated selection of songs, and exceptional performances, this album maintains an incredibly high level of quality. The musicians' skillful playing adds depth and dimension.

Recommended Cover Song: "The Girl from Ipanema" [feat. Oleta Adams & Al Jarreau]

Among the countless versions of "The Girl from Ipanema," this rendition stands out because Oleta Adams and Al Jarreau honor the original, preserving its mood with their thoughtful interpretation.
The opening scat is a direct sampling of João Gilberto's original, showcasing a deep respect for the song. The acoustic piano is played by Russell Ferrante of the Yellowjackets, whose solo remains true to the song’s delicate essence—fragile yet beautiful. Among all the piano solos in Ipanema covers, this one ranks among the finest.

There aren’t many improvised solos in "The Girl from Ipanema" that extend into the chorus section—probably because it’s difficult to make it work musically. Even when they do exist, they often don’t leave a strong impression. In this sense, Stan Getz’s original solo stands out as exceptional.
In my band, "The Girl from Ipanema" is part of our repertoire, but whenever we reach the chorus section for a solo, it always feels somewhat forced or uncertain. Structuring a smooth melodic flow for the solo is quite a challenge.
If anyone has a good approach to solving this, I’d love to hear it!
Like many others, I also wish I could hear Russell Ferrante’s take on a solo in the chorus section—I bet it would have been amazing! (LOL)

■ Recommended Album: Astrud Gilberto “Água de Beber”– Água de Beber (1965)

This song, with its distinctive Jobim melody, has been covered by many musicians. Its melody is unforgettable after just one listen. However, finding a performance that surpasses the original album is an incredibly difficult task.

■ Recommended Album: Toninho Horta – From Toninho Horta to Tom Jobim (1999)

The 13th album by Brazilian guitarist Toninho Horta, featuring a mix of Antonio Carlos Jobim’s essential compositions—including "Chega de Saudade," "Meditation," and "Desafinado"—alongside Horta’s original works.

Recommended Cover Song: "Água de Beber" (The Water to Drink)

The song begins with a Latin salsa-style intro, leading into the A section, where Toninho Horta’s guitar takes the melody. In the B section, Horta switches to scat singing, and the chorus features a simple yet elegant interplay between guitar and scat.
On piano is the virtuoso David Kikoski, known for his work with Manhattan Transfer, Randy Brecker, and Bob Berg. His jazz-infused, technically brilliant solo sets the stage for Toninho’s improvisation, which also leans heavily into jazz.
The outro section reaches an incredible climax, with an intense back-and-forth between their improvisations—a truly thrilling highlight of the track!

Featured Musicians, Albums, Recommended Songs, and Keyboards Used

• Artists: Eliane Elias, Lee Ritenour, Oleta Adams, Al Jarreau, Toninho Horta
• Albums: Three Americas, Twist of Jobim, From Toninho Horta to Tom Jobim
• Songs: Chega de Saudade, The Girl from Ipanema, Água de Beber

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