Beyond Elevator Music: How Bossa Nova Became The Soundtrack of Brazil

The New Wave In the late 1950s, a new style of Brazilian music emerged from the Copacabana neighbourhood of Rio de Janeiro that combined elements of jazz and samba — which has West African roots. Bossa nova, which literally means “new wave” or “new style,” coincided with Brazil’s “golden era,” characterized by democracy, a new president, and […]