Johnny Alf, Singer/Songwriter Bossa Nova Pioneer Dead At 80
March 9th, 2010 - 12:18 am ICT by Angela Kaye Mason
Mar 8 (THAINDIAN NEWS) One of the creators of the bossa nova sound, and singer songwriter Johnny Alf has lost his battle with prostate cancer on Mar 4. He passed away in Sao Paulo, Brazil at the age of 80. Alf had been undergoing chemotherapy treatment for many months, when he died of multiple organ failure.
Alf was born on May 19, 1929 in Rio De Janeiro. His birth name was Alfredo Jose da Silva, but was later given the nickname, “Johnny Alf.” He loved jazz music, and combined the elements of jazz with Brazilian samba tones, creating a rich, wonderful new sound. Two of his most popular songs were from the mid 1950’s. They were ‘Rapaz de bem’ and ‘O Tempo e o vento.’ Some musicians, and those who study music history consider these songs to be of the first bossa nova type music released.
Alf recorded nine solo performances, and was a part of 46 recordings total. Ironically, he is said to have never especially liked the term “bossa nova.” One of the world’s best bossa nova composers, Antonio Carlos Jobim, was a faithful follower of Johnny Alf.
According to Johnny Alf’s manager, Nelson Valencia, the pianist/singer/songwriter/composer/musician’s health had been deteriorating rapidly over the last 6 months. Despite being sick, he continued to create short presentations, the last one being in August. Valencia added that the singer was very spiritual, and calm.
- Founder of Bossa Nova - Johnny Alf dies - Mar 08, 2010
- Bossa Nova creator, Johnny Alf, passes away in Brazil at the age of 80 - Mar 08, 2010
- Johnny Alf Passes Away At 80 - Mar 08, 2010
- Little-known 'Pancham': New biography tells endearing tales (With Image) - Apr 12, 2011
- Pianist and jazz promoter Billy Taylor dies aged 89 - Dec 30, 2010
- Steve Jobs to be honoured with Grammy award - Dec 22, 2011
- 'Indian rhythms, American jazz coming together' - Nov 02, 2011
- Juan Luis Guerra brings Caribbean rhythms to Chile - Oct 09, 2011
- Frank Loesser Remembered On His 100th Birthday - Jun 30, 2010
- 53rd Annual Grammy Awards Winners List - Feb 14, 2011
- Clint Eastwood opens up about his love for jazz - Aug 18, 2010
- East meets West in novel music initiative - Nov 24, 2011
- Bollywood music - cruising on the wings of change! - May 31, 2011
- Debi Nova is a potential superstar in her own right - Feb 11, 2010
- Egypt brings new fusion culture package to India (With Image) - Jan 31, 2012
Tags: antonio carlos jobim, birth name, bossa nova, brazilian samba, faithful follower, jazz music, johnny alf, jose da silva, music history, o tempo e o vento, organ failure, popular songs, prostate cancer, rapaz de bem, rio de janeiro, sao paulo brazil, singer songwriter, solo performances, songwriter johnny, type music