On Tuesday, January 25th, WKCR celebrates the music and life of Antônio Carlos Brasileiro de Almeida Jobim, or "Tom," on what would be his 95th birthday. Composer, pianist, songwriter, arranger and singer, Jobim's contributions to music in Brazil and worldwide are immeasurable.
Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1927, Tom gained major recognition on a national level in 1959 when he collaborated with poet Vinicius de Moraes to compose the score for Palme d'Or winning movie Orfeu Negro (Black Orpheus).The Jobim-de Moraes partnership became one of the most successful in the world, both critically and commercially, with the release of iconic songs as "Chega de Saudade," "Garota de Ipanema" and "So Tinha de Ser Com Voce." Jobim's Grammy-award winning album with Stan Getz, Getz/Gilberto, confirmed his talent for composition and collaboration on an international level. At his peak, Tom was without a doubt the face of Brazilian music, and his works were (and continue to be) revered across the globe. Jobim is known further for collaborations with Elis Regina, Sergio Mendes, Astrud GIlberto, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra, among many others. He was in the process of finishing his final album, Antonio Brasileiro, when he died on December 8th, 1994.
An inductee to the Latin Grammy Hall of Fame, Antonio Carlos Jobim is widely recognized throughout the world as one of the most influential composers of the 20th Century. As a pioneer and a forward-thinker in Brazilian music, Tom Jobim must be celebrated for his influence as a songwriter and arranger in the transformation of the "samba" form and the pioneering of the bossa nova movement throughout Brazil, the United States and the world.
Tune in on the 25th for a 24 hour celebration of Jobim's life and his dazzling musical catalog!