Os Ipanemas

Origin

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Years Active

1964–Presente

Genres

jazz, latin, samba, bossa nova, afro samba

Instruments

trombone, acoustic guitar, double bass, drums, percussion, guitar

Biography

Os Ipanemas is a Brazilian musical group formed in the 1960s in Rio de Janeiro. The group emerged with the proposal to unite bossa nova with African rhythms, creating an original sound that blended samba, jazz, and afro-Brazilian influences. The original lineup featured Astor Silva on trombone, Neco on acoustic guitar, Luiz Marinho on double bass, Wilson das Neves on drums, and Rubens Bassini on percussion. This unique sound caught attention and resulted in the release of the LP "Os Ipanemas" in 1964, which, despite not having great commercial success at the time, became a cult album over the years.

After a hiatus of nearly four decades, the group was rediscovered in the late 1990s by British producer Joe Davis, from the Far Out Recordings label. In 2001, a new lineup, featuring surviving members Neco and Wilson das Neves, was brought together to record "The Return of The Ipanemas". The success of this comeback propelled the recording of other albums, such as "Call of the Gods" (2008) and "Que Beleza" (2010), the latter a tribute to acoustic guitarist Neco, who passed away in 2009. The current lineup of the group maintains the musical essence, with Wilson das Neves leading and featuring new talents.

Throughout their trajectory, Os Ipanemas stood out for their audacity in experimenting with and fusing different musical genres, cementing themselves as a milestone in Brazilian instrumental music. The group's influence can be perceived in artists who seek the fusion of rhythms and the exploration of afro-Brazilian sonorities, keeping the country's rich musical heritage alive. The work of Os Ipanemas is a testimony to the creativity and capacity for reinvention of Brazilian music.

Discography

• Os Ipanemas (1964)
• The Return Of The Ipanemas (2001)
• Afro Bossa (2003)
• Samba Is Our Gift (O Samba É Nosso Dom) (2006)
• Call Of The Gods (2008)
• Que Beleza (2010)