Famous Brazilian Jazz Musicians

João Gilberto was a Brazilian guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He is best remembered as a pioneer of bossa nova and is sometimes referred to as the father of bossa nova. In 1965, his collaborative album Getz/Gilberto received three Grammy Awards including Album of the Year. In 2001, he was made an inductee of the International Latin Music Hall of Fame.

Antônio Carlos Jobim was a Brazilian pianist, guitarist, composer, arranger, singer, and songwriter. He is credited with popularizing a style of samba called bossa nova by merging it with jazz with the help of American artists in the 1960s. He played an important role in creating the bossa nova style and is referred to as the father of bossa nova.

Elis Regina was a Brazilian singer who achieved national recognition in 1965 when she performed Arrastão on TV Excelsior. Best remembered for her interpretation and vocalization, Regina helped popularize tropicalismo in the late-1960s and early-1970s. Elis Regina's life, career, and untimely death at age 36 inspired a film titled Elis where she was played by Andréia Horta.

Vinicius de Moraes was a Brazilian poet, essayist, playwright, lyricist, musician, singer, and diplomat. His compositions and lyrics played important roles in the introduction and popoularization of bossa nova music. Vinicius de Moraes is best remembered for his collaborations with popular musicians like Antônio Carlos Jobim. His play Orfeu da conceição was adapted into an Oscar-winning film titled Black Orpheus.

Tim Maia was a Brazilian musician and songwriter best remembered for his ironic, iconoclastic, humorous, and outspoken musical style. Counted among the greatest icons in Brazilian music, Tim Maia is credited with pioneering sambalanço and introducing soul music in the Brazilian musical scene.  

Flora Purim is a Brazilian singer best known for her contribution to the jazz fusion style. She achieved popularity when she contributed to the success of the popular American jazz fusion band, Return to Forever. Referred to as the Queen of Brazilian Jazz, Flora Purim has also performed with several other artistes like Dizzy Gillespie, Stan Getz, and Gil Evans.

Airto Moreira is a Brazilian jazz percussionist and drummer. He achieved popularity in the late 1960s when he was part of the ensemble Quarteto Novo. From 1975 to 1982, he was ranked the number one percussionist in the world by DownBeat magazine's Critics Poll. In 2002, Moreira was added to the Order of Rio Branco by President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.

Luiz Bonfá was a Brazilian composer and guitarist best remembered for his work in the 1959 romantic tragedy film Black Orpheus. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the emotionally charged samba-canção style that preceded the arrival of João Gilberto's subdued bossa nova style. Bonfá also worked with American musicians like Quincy Jones and Frank Sinatra.

Baden Powell was a Brazilian guitarist and composer best remembered for his versatality. He often combined classical techniques with swing and harmony and performed in many styles, including Latin jazz, Brazilian jazz, bossa nova, and samba. Apart from performing on stage and composing pieces for guitar, Baden Powell also collaborated with other popular musicians like American flautist Herbie Mann.

Naná Vasconcelos was a Brazilian percussionist and berimbau player. He was also a vocalist. He worked as a backing musician with Pat Metheny, Don Cherry, Björk, and Jan Garbarek, among others. He also had a successful solo career and released over two dozen albums. He was the recipient of several awards, including eight Grammy Awards. 

Laurindo Almeida was a Brazilian guitarist and composer. He was well versed in classical, jazz, and Latin music. Along with Bud Shank, he is considered one of the pioneers in the creation of bossa nova. In a career spanning over five decades, he made over a hundred recordings. He received Grammy Awards for both classical and jazz performances.