Antonio Carlos Jobim was the Brazilian composer who co-created bossa nova and brought the sounds of Rio de Janeiro to the world stage. Born in 1927, he merged samba rhythms with cool jazz harmonies to craft a new genre of intimate, sophisticated popular music. Working closely with lyricist Vinicius de Moraes and guitarist Joao Gilberto, Jobim composed hundreds of songs that became international standards. "Meditation" and "Triste" exemplify his gift for melancholy lyricism and chromatic voice-leading. His collaboration with Stan Getz and Joao Gilberto on the landmark album Getz/Gilberto (1964) brought bossa nova to mainstream American audiences, while compositions like "The Girl from Ipanema," "Desafinado," and "Corcovado" entered the permanent jazz repertoire. Jobim's influence extended far beyond Brazil, reshaping how jazz musicians approached harmony and rhythm. He continued composing until his death in New York in 1994.
