Bebel Gilberto (born Isabel Gilberto de Oliveira on May 12, 1966 in New York City) is an American-born Brazilian popular singer often associated with Bossa Nova. She is the daughter of João Gilberto and singer Miúcha. Her uncle is singer/composer Chico Buarque. Gilberto has been performing since her youth in Rio de Janeiro. She voices Eva in Rio and Rio 2.
Early life[]
Bebel was born in New York City, New York to Brazilian parents Miúcha and João Gilberto, who raised her in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Music was an integral part of her childhood; she began singing with her mother at a young age and participated in professional musicals such as Saltimbancos and Pirlimpimpim. At the age of seven, she made her recording debut on her mother's first solo album, The Best of Two Worlds. Two years later, she performed at Carnegie Hall with her mother and Stan Getz.
Career[]
Her professional solo debut came in 1986 with a self-titled EP released by WEA which included "Preciso dizer que te amo," a partnership with Cazuza, Dé, when both were in the Barão Vermelho band. In 1991, she moved to Manhattan, where she was born. Bebel continues to live in New York City, but shares her time between the U.S. and Brazil.
Bebel was a great friend of Cazuza and she composed several songs with him in addition to "Eu preciso dizer que te amo," including "Amigos de Bar," "Mais Feliz," and "Mulher sem Razão."
Bebel next participated in the project Red Hot + Rio, joining major music stars such as Everything but the Girl, Maxwell, George Michael and others for the benefit CD recording. She also collaborated on the CD of Japanese producer Towa Tei Future Listening, singing on the hits "Technova" and "Batucada" and also participated in the project Peeping Tom Mike Patton (former lead singer of Faith No More), singing "Caipirinha."
The release of 'Tanto Tempo', an electronic bossa nova album in 2000, was popular at clubs around the world and positioned Bebel as one of the top-selling Brazilian artists in the U.S. since the '60s. With her second album, 'Bebel Gilberto' (2004), she refined her sound to create an acoustic lounge style that showcased her strengths as a Brazilian composer.
With Momento (2007), her third album in seven years, she wanted to do a fusion of both. Mixing the taste of Rio 'Orchestra Imperial' with the melting pot of New York's Brazilian Girls, and following the direction of the English producer Guy Sigsworth (Madonna's partner in "What It Feels Like for a Girl"), Momento reaffirms the international character of Bebel.
All in One, was released worldwide on September 29, 2009 on the American jazz label Verve, and was released in Brazil by Universal Music. It is the least electronic-infused of her albums, it also brings to the forefront more of Bebel's personality and love for organic styles.
'All in One' had a team of accomplished producers including Mark Ronson (Amy Winehouse, Lily Allen), John King (Dust Brothers, Beck), Daniel Jobim] Carlinhos Brown, Didi Gutman (Brazilian Girls) and Mario Caldato Jr (Beastie Boys, Bjork, Jack Johnson).
Since the launch of 'Tanto Tempo' in 2000, it has sold over 2.5 million records and has been featured on seven film soundtracks (including "Next Stop Wonderland," "Bubble," "Closer," and most recently 2010's "Eat Pray Love" and 2011's "Rio"") and seven TV series (Sex and the City, Six Feet Under, Nip/Tuck)
In 2011, she contributed a track entitled Acabou Chorare to the Red Hot Organization's most recent charitable album "Red Hot+Rio 2." The album is a follow-up to the 1996 "Red Hot+Rio." Proceeds from the sales will be donated to raise awareness and money to fight AIDS/HIV and related health and social issues.
Discography[]
Studio albums[]
- Um Certo Geraldo Pereira, Funarte (with Pedrinho Rodrigues) (1983, Atracao)
- De Tarde, Vendo O Mar (with Luizão Maia & Banzai) (1991)
- Tanto Tempo (2000) Ziriguiboom
- Bebel Gilberto (2004) Ziriguiboom
- Momento (2007) Ziriguiboom
- All in One (2009) Verve Records
Remix albums[]
- Tanto Tempo Remixes (2001) Ziriguiboom
- Tanto Tempo (Special Remix Edition) (2003) EastWest Records
- Bebel Gilberto Remixed (2005) Ziriguiboom
EPs[]
- Bebel Gilberto (EP) (1986) Warner Jazz
- Bring Back The Love — Remixes EP 1 (2007) [digital-only]
- Bring Back The Love — Remixes EP 2 (2007) [digital-only]
- Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) - EP (2008) [digital-only]