Bossa Nova vs Jazz A Comparative Analysis of Two P
Explore the rich histories and cultural impacts of Jazz and Bossa Nova. Learn how these iconic music styles differ in origin, sound, and influence while sharing rhythmic and melodic connections.
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Comparison between Bossa Nova and Jazz
Jonathan Ryan Ortuno
University of California, Riverside
Music of Brazil 019
Professor Rogerio Budasz
March 13, 2019
Jonathan Ryan Ortuno
University of California, Riverside
Music of Brazil 019
Professor Rogerio Budasz
March 13, 2019
Music has always been a subjective topic, from genres to instruments, it will always hold
a constant debate in each category or subcategory we listen to. Comparisons are often a debate
and in music, many genres and ±eir sub genres may sound alike and are often mixed up with
each o±er to ±e common music listener Two styles of music we will dissect and compare will
include the softer and popular dancing music the world offers us, between America's genre of
classical and earthy grooves which is Jazz, and its Brazilian sub genre of the "New Wave" or
flowing sound of Bossa Nova. Both of these styles of music are very popular and have similar
attributes, however, Bossa Nova and Jazz are nut by any means the same type of music due to
their own unique origins, music structures, and uses in their own respective cultures. These
genres are huge and represent a big portion of their countries culture today, so they are to be
respected in their own right. Furthermore, we will dive into their histories, effects on their
cultures, and what exactly makes Bossa Nova and Jazz different from each other and how the
common music listener can distinguish the 'difference between the two.
Bo± Bossa Nova and Jazz have their own distinct sound which separates them and what
better way to begin discussing their similarities and differences then to go back to the origins of
both genres? Beginning with Bossa Nova, its origins come from the 1950’s when Brazil, the
country which Bossa Nova is from, was going through an erratic stage economically and was in
the process of becoming a progressive nation. Previously at the rime, the indigenous style of
Samba was the must popular style of music for Brazil, but due to the progressive nature the
country had taken up, they sought to have a more commercial flow. "The word Bossa Nova itself
means, "New Trend" and in Brazil,the prefix Bossa signifies as "cool" or "hip" (Big History,
2009). As a result of this new commercially appealing wave, the young people grasped on and
were the majority of the listeners when it first came out, becoming, popular in dubs, the beach
and for people in the middle class specifically, as it had a more classier and mellowed sound
compared to previous trends such as Samba. Bossa Nova as a matter of fact, propelled the world
to have a more respectful view of Brazilians as "the timid and quiet vocal style of bossa nova
negated the stereotype of Brazilians as an overemctive, exuberant race, to portray them as
contemplative, intimate, and sophisticated" (Reily, 2015, pg. 267). The essential elements of
Bossa Nova were credited to composers, lyricist, and musicians in the late 1950’s, however the
more well known and popular creators of the sub genre are credited to none other than the likes
a constant debate in each category or subcategory we listen to. Comparisons are often a debate
and in music, many genres and ±eir sub genres may sound alike and are often mixed up with
each o±er to ±e common music listener Two styles of music we will dissect and compare will
include the softer and popular dancing music the world offers us, between America's genre of
classical and earthy grooves which is Jazz, and its Brazilian sub genre of the "New Wave" or
flowing sound of Bossa Nova. Both of these styles of music are very popular and have similar
attributes, however, Bossa Nova and Jazz are nut by any means the same type of music due to
their own unique origins, music structures, and uses in their own respective cultures. These
genres are huge and represent a big portion of their countries culture today, so they are to be
respected in their own right. Furthermore, we will dive into their histories, effects on their
cultures, and what exactly makes Bossa Nova and Jazz different from each other and how the
common music listener can distinguish the 'difference between the two.
Bo± Bossa Nova and Jazz have their own distinct sound which separates them and what
better way to begin discussing their similarities and differences then to go back to the origins of
both genres? Beginning with Bossa Nova, its origins come from the 1950’s when Brazil, the
country which Bossa Nova is from, was going through an erratic stage economically and was in
the process of becoming a progressive nation. Previously at the rime, the indigenous style of
Samba was the must popular style of music for Brazil, but due to the progressive nature the
country had taken up, they sought to have a more commercial flow. "The word Bossa Nova itself
means, "New Trend" and in Brazil,the prefix Bossa signifies as "cool" or "hip" (Big History,
2009). As a result of this new commercially appealing wave, the young people grasped on and
were the majority of the listeners when it first came out, becoming, popular in dubs, the beach
and for people in the middle class specifically, as it had a more classier and mellowed sound
compared to previous trends such as Samba. Bossa Nova as a matter of fact, propelled the world
to have a more respectful view of Brazilians as "the timid and quiet vocal style of bossa nova
negated the stereotype of Brazilians as an overemctive, exuberant race, to portray them as
contemplative, intimate, and sophisticated" (Reily, 2015, pg. 267). The essential elements of
Bossa Nova were credited to composers, lyricist, and musicians in the late 1950’s, however the
more well known and popular creators of the sub genre are credited to none other than the likes
of Joao Gilberto and Tom Jobim. Jobim was a famous composer and vocalist as stated he. " was
known in Brazil. .Along with The Girl from Ipanema', he composed and harmonized the tunes for
such classics as Samba de UmaNota S6' ('The One Note Samba'), 'Desafinado' ('Off Key'),
'Insensatez' (How Insensitive'), 'Corcovado' ('Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars'), ’Wave’, and the
eternal 'Chega de Saudade'" (Reify, 1996, pg. 1). Joao Gilberto on the other hand, was a popular
and talented guitarist but also a vocalist who established the model for Bossa Nova's soft and
rhythmically sound and flexible singing style, "with his signature soft, near- whispering croon,
set standard few have equaled in music" (Dougan, 2019), "with his more popular works being,
"Chega de Saudade" and "Desafinado" which are very popular in Brazil" (Murphy, 2006, p. 38).
As stated Jobim, but also Gilberto are most famously recognized for their contributions to
perhaps the biggest Bossa Nova song, "The Girl from Ipanema" which became globally
recognized due to its cross-cultural approach in being in English and Portuguese. Furthermore,
Bossa Nova was booming for only about 10 years, but that was enough time for the popular sub
genre to reach multiple countries and inspire artists such as the famous, Frank Sinatra from
America to help globalize the soft spoken and classy genre.
Continuing on, the origin of Jazz has much more of a different story then that of Bossa
Nova. Jazz was first originated in ±e United States in the early 20th century (1920's), credited to
mostly the city of Harlem. New York, however it grew and was popularized in New Orleans,
Louisiana. Jazz was formulated by the melting pot of different races, but credited to mostly
African-Americans being present at the region, and the clash of sounds such as ragtimes, the
blues, ect, whose events eventually created the smooth sound we know it to be today. Jazz is a
cover- all name used to describe anything from hot New Orleans Jazz to some forms of
contemporary electronica. The one thing that has remained relatively constant is the freedom to
improvise over a basic structure. Over the years. Jazz has evolved from very simple dance based
tunes to highly sophisticated harmonies As time progressed and recording inventions such as the
phonograph became more prominent, it became more common for users to listen and that is
when the genre became popular and globalized. "Numerous musicians are credited to start Jazz
such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington. Charhe Parker, and Miles Davis" (Smithsonian. 2016)
songs such as "Brother, Where are You?" and "Strange Fruit" are some of the more popular and
historical songs created. Once Jazz became globally recognized, other genres began to pop out.
known in Brazil. .Along with The Girl from Ipanema', he composed and harmonized the tunes for
such classics as Samba de UmaNota S6' ('The One Note Samba'), 'Desafinado' ('Off Key'),
'Insensatez' (How Insensitive'), 'Corcovado' ('Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars'), ’Wave’, and the
eternal 'Chega de Saudade'" (Reify, 1996, pg. 1). Joao Gilberto on the other hand, was a popular
and talented guitarist but also a vocalist who established the model for Bossa Nova's soft and
rhythmically sound and flexible singing style, "with his signature soft, near- whispering croon,
set standard few have equaled in music" (Dougan, 2019), "with his more popular works being,
"Chega de Saudade" and "Desafinado" which are very popular in Brazil" (Murphy, 2006, p. 38).
As stated Jobim, but also Gilberto are most famously recognized for their contributions to
perhaps the biggest Bossa Nova song, "The Girl from Ipanema" which became globally
recognized due to its cross-cultural approach in being in English and Portuguese. Furthermore,
Bossa Nova was booming for only about 10 years, but that was enough time for the popular sub
genre to reach multiple countries and inspire artists such as the famous, Frank Sinatra from
America to help globalize the soft spoken and classy genre.
Continuing on, the origin of Jazz has much more of a different story then that of Bossa
Nova. Jazz was first originated in ±e United States in the early 20th century (1920's), credited to
mostly the city of Harlem. New York, however it grew and was popularized in New Orleans,
Louisiana. Jazz was formulated by the melting pot of different races, but credited to mostly
African-Americans being present at the region, and the clash of sounds such as ragtimes, the
blues, ect, whose events eventually created the smooth sound we know it to be today. Jazz is a
cover- all name used to describe anything from hot New Orleans Jazz to some forms of
contemporary electronica. The one thing that has remained relatively constant is the freedom to
improvise over a basic structure. Over the years. Jazz has evolved from very simple dance based
tunes to highly sophisticated harmonies As time progressed and recording inventions such as the
phonograph became more prominent, it became more common for users to listen and that is
when the genre became popular and globalized. "Numerous musicians are credited to start Jazz
such as Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington. Charhe Parker, and Miles Davis" (Smithsonian. 2016)
songs such as "Brother, Where are You?" and "Strange Fruit" are some of the more popular and
historical songs created. Once Jazz became globally recognized, other genres began to pop out.
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