Rosa Passos is one of Brazil’s greatest romantic Bossa Nova singers.
About Rosa Passos
Rosa (1952) started playing piano at age three. She switched to vocals at age 11 after hearing João Gilberto’s “Orfeu do Carnaval.” She became obsessed with Gilberto’s vocal style. You will recall that João Gilberto defined the Bossa Nova style of singing without vibrato, and singing slightly ahead or behind the beat. Passos so owns the style that she has been called “a female João Gilberto.” Both artists have a relaxed softness in their vocals that just pulls you in.
By the late 1960s, Passos was working on television and at festivals. She recorded her debut record “Recriação” in 1978. Her second album “Amarosa” (Loving, 1988) is a true romantic classic. Already she was working with great artists like Yo-Yo Ma and Cyro Baptista. When you want to set a real soft romantic mood, start “Amarosa” at the beginning and voce vai ver (you will see).
https://youtu.be/TqoR9xZGWco
Passos’ latest record is “Samba dobrado” (2013).
Bahia, Brazil
Like Samba, Rosa Passos is from Bahia, the northeastern state that is the historic and cultural heart of Brazil. Bahia has deep roots in both Portuguese and African culture. The capital, Salvador, was Brazil’s first colonial capital. It was also the first slave port in the Americas. Bahia is where the Afro-Brazilian mix first happened.
Many of Brazil’s most important cultural figures are also from Bahia. These include Bossa Nova singer João Gilberto, and Tropicalia figures Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso, and of course Rossa Passos.
Rosa Passos in New York City
Rosa Passos plays the Blue Note Jazz Club, Monday-Wednesday, June 6 – 8, 2016.
Shows at 8pm & 10:30pm
Doors at 6pm & 9:45pm
The band includes Lula Galvão on guitar, Hélio Alves on piano, Paulo Paulelli on bass, and Celso de Almeida on drums.
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