Johnny Alf Passes Away At 80

March 8th, 2010 - 8:55 pm ICT by GD  

By Gina Gomez
alfRio De Janeiro, Mar 8, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Much acclaimed pianist Johnny Alf, who is best known as the founder of the Bossa Nova music, has passed away at a Brazilian medical facility on Thursday. The renowned musician who was 80 years old at the time of his death, had been battling with prostate cancer for some time now.

In a statement that has been released by Sao Paulo hospital, it has been revealed that Johnny Alf breathed his last on Thursday evening, after he succumbed to multiple organ failure. The demise of the reputed pianist has come as a rude shock to all his fans, many of whom feel that Johnny Alf was never given the due recognition that was truly worthy of him for his significant contribution in the field of popular music. The pianist was referred to as the ‘true father of Bossa Nova’ by Ruy Castro, who penned ‘Bossa Nova: The Story Of The Brazilian Music That Seduced The World’ and was also highlighted as the undisputed pioneer of the particular style of music. Although Johnny Alf is known to have his own reservations about the term Bossa Nova, his work is said to have been a huge inspiration for the array of musicians who emerged after him, such as Tom Jobim, Leny Andrade, Carlos Lyra among others.

Johnny Alf, whose real name was Alfredo Jose da Silva, was born in Rio de Janeiro and is known to have composed songs since his teen years. The musician was a huge admirer of American jazz, the influence of which is easily palpable in his illustrious musical work.

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