A Month of Bossa Nova: July Writing Challenge Insights
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Bossa Nova is a captivating blend of samba, jazz, and Brazilian folk, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in its rich sound. It feels like a soothing bath for the soul.
This genre surfaced from Ipanema, Brazil, in the late 1950s, intertwining jazz influences with profound folk roots that might be elusive to many North Americans, myself included. Beneath its tranquil exterior, Bossa Nova represented a vibrant artistic movement and a form of resistance against oppressive regimes. My first introduction to its enchanting world was through Afro-Brazilian Jazz, leading me to discover the magic of Bossa Nova beyond the iconic "Girl from Ipanema," a track that revolutionized pop music worldwide.
The genre resonated with jazz legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Miles Davis, integrating itself into the cool jazz scene. Today, its influence remains evident, shaping contemporary music and inspiring artists from Stereolab to Thievery Corporation.
Bossa Nova eloquently expresses our emotions, flowing gently with a touch of melancholy, dancing and lounging as it wishes. Ultimately, it embodies a celebration of love and life.
While summer serves as the perfect backdrop for Bossa Nova, it also provides a timely escape from the surrounding chaos.
Inspired by the essence of Bossa Nova, I penned a poem and invited others to join in expressing their thoughts on summer and music throughout July. Terry Barr contributed eight remarkable stories, beautifully capturing the musical nuances of our summer experiences. A heartfelt thank you to Terry!
Feel free to explore the contributions below. Enjoy, and special thanks to Noah Levy for hosting this challenge.
Playlist/Stories:
July 1: Getz, Gilberto, Jobim (Sang by Astrud Gilberto) — Girl from Ipanema
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<h2>Ipanema</h2>
<div><h3>A love poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 2: Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 — Slow Hot Wind
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<h2>Slow, Hot</h2>
<div><h3>Poetry inspired by Sergio Mendes</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 3: Antônio Carlos Jobim & Elis Regina — Waters of March
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<h2>Waters Of March</h2>
<div><h3>Haiku for Antônio Carlos Jobim</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 4: Milton Nascimento — Tudo Que Você Podia Ser
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<h2>Everything You Could Be</h2>
<div><h3>A poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 5: Getz, Gilberto, Jobim (sang by João Gilberto) — Desafinado
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<h2>Out of Tune</h2>
<div><h3>Swept up undulated softly lept Love over ecstatic planes of flat tilted steps Heartstrings strummed skin gently…</h3></div>
<div><p>link.medium.com</p></div>
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July 6: Stereolab — Rainbo Conversation
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<h2>Rainbo Conversation</h2>
<div><h3>A modern poetic tribute to Bossa Nova</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 7: Baden Powell — Samba Triste
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<h2>Heartstrings</h2>
<div><h3>Poetic discovery of a guitar virtuoso</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 8: Recado Bossa Nova — Hank Mobley
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<h2>The Messenger</h2>
<div><h3>Poetic tribute to Bossa Nova through Hank Mobley’s sax</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 9: Da Lata — Cores (Colors)
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<h2>Colors</h2>
<div><h3>Poetry for new shades of Bossa Nova</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 10: Stan Getz, Luiz Bonfá, Maria Toledo (vocals) — Insensatez
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<h2>Insensitive</h2>
<div><h3>A poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 11: Hope Tala — Lovestained
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<h2>Lovestained</h2>
<div><h3>A haiku</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 12: (Powell, Pinheiro) performed by Elis Regina — Lapinha
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<h2>Mortal Dance</h2>
<div><h3>A poetic tribute</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 13: Joao Gilberto — Chega De Saudade
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<h2>No More Blues</h2>
<div><h3>A poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 14: Vinícius de Moraes — Berimbau
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<h2>Leave Yourself</h2>
<div><h3>A Tanka tribute to the berimbau</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 15: Pharcyde — Runnin’ (sampling “Saudade Vem Correndo”)
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<h2>Adventures in Lo-Fi</h2>
<div><h3>A Tribute to Hip Hop and Bossa Nova</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 16: Sergio Mendes & Brasil ‘66 — Ye-Me-Le
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<h2>Mother of the Sea</h2>
<div><h3>A poem for Iemanjá</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 17: Baden Powell & Vinícius de Moraes — Canto de Ossanha
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<h2>Witchcraft Of Love</h2>
<div><h3>A Poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 18: Nara Leão — O Barquinho
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<h2>Everything Is Summer & Love Is Made</h2>
<div><h3>A Haiku</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 19: (Tom Jobim) performed by Dizzy Gillespie — Samba de Uma Nota Só
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<h2>One Note Samba</h2>
<div><h3>A Poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 20: Thievery Corporation — Saudade
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<h2>Dance Tranquil</h2>
<div><h3>An ode to Thievery Corporation</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 21: Gal Costa & Caetano Veloso — Coração Vagabundo
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<h2>Vagabond Heart</h2>
<div><h3>A poem</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 22: Jorge Ben — Balança Pema
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<h2>Until You Wear Me Out</h2>
<div><h3>A poetic tribute to Jorge Ben</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 23: Chico Buarque — Roda Vida
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<h2>Rebellious Heart</h2>
<div><h3>A poetic tribute for Chico Buarque</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 24: Quarteto Jobim-Morelenbaum — Lamento No Morro
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<h2>Cry From The Hills</h2>
<div><h3>A Haiku poem for lost love</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 25: John Coltrane — Bahia
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<h2>When The Stars Were Bright</h2>
<div><h3>A poetic tribute to Coltrane through bossa nova</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 26: Antônio Carlos Jobim & Francis Albert Sinatra — Quiet Night of Quiet Stars
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<h2>Life’s Embers</h2>
<div><h3>Poetry of stars: Jobim and Sinatra</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 27: Caetano Veloso, João Gilberto & Gilberto Gil — Aquarela Do Brasil
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<h2>Watercolor of Brasil</h2>
<div><h3>A nostalgic poem for Brazilian music</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 28: Elaine Elias — A Felicidade
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<h2>Like a Drop</h2>
<div><h3>Poetry for the fragility of happiness</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 29: Astrud Gilberto — Agua de Beber
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<h2>Sweet Water</h2>
<div><h3>Haiku for Astrud Gilberto</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 30: Antônio Carlos Jobim — Samba do Avião
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<h2>In the Air</h2>
<div><h3>A poetic tribute to Rio</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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July 31: Sergio Mendes & Basil ‘66 - Mas Que Nada
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<h2>Mas Que Nada</h2>
<div><h3>A final poetic anthem for the July Challenge and 31 days of bossa nova</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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Terry Barr
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<h2>Summertime is Here</h2>
<div><h3>and the radio keeps playing</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>On the Run in the 1970's</h2>
<div><h3>Being soothed by After the Gold Rush</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>The Summer of ‘69</h2>
<div><h3>Tune in, turn on, drop some music</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>“If I Can’t Have You…”</h2>
<div><h3>Malo and my summer job</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>Today’s the Day</h2>
<div><h3>Another number for the road</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>Goodbye to Summer</h2>
<div><h3>And Goodbye to Jorge</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>Border Music</h2>
<div><h3>to the south and east of us</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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<h2>My British Invasion</h2>
<div><h3>Seeing The Kinks at 23</h3></div>
<div><p>medium.com</p></div>
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