58-João Gilberto “Chega de Saude (No More Blues)”

Standards Rating 7 Difficulty Rating 7

João Gilberto (1931–2019), known as the "father of bossa nova," revolutionized Brazilian music with his innovative guitar techniques and understated vocal style. His 1959 album Chega de Saudade marked the birth of bossa nova, blending samba rhythms with jazz harmony and syncopation. The album’s title track, composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim with lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, solidified the genre's prominence and showcased Gilberto's signature approach, emphasizing balance and subtlety between voice and guitar.

His collaboration with Stan Getz on the Grammy-winning Getz/Gilberto (1963) introduced bossa nova to global audiences, featuring hits like "The Girl from Ipanema." Known for his perfectionism, Gilberto maintained high standards in his recordings, influencing generations of musicians. "Chega de Saudade," often considered the first recorded bossa nova song, remains a cornerstone of the genre, blending harmonic sophistication, rhythmic syncopation, and poignant saudade, or yearning, that defines Brazilian music.

João Gilberto Version

Carmen McRae Version

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Dave Stryker is a renowned American jazz guitarist with over 25 albums as a leader and collaborations with jazz greats like Stanley Turrentine, Jack McDuff, and Kevin Mahogany. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Stryker began playing guitar at ten, initially inspired by The Beatles and later drawn to jazz . By 17, he was performing jazz locally.

After moving to Los Angeles in 1978 and then began working with Jack McDuff, touring with him in 1984–1985. Stryker spent a decade with saxophonist Stanley Turrentine and formed bands with Steve Slagle and Jared Gold. He also worked extensively with singer Kevin Mahogany as a sideman and arranger, performing at Carnegie Hall and internationally. An experienced educator, Stryker has taught at Indiana University, Montclair State, William Paterson University, and Rutgers University, as well as online via ArtistWorks.

For More On Dave Stryker go to: https://www.davestryker.com/

57- “Chelsea Bells” and Steve Swallow

Steve Swallow, born October 4, 1940, in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, is a pioneering jazz bassist and composer. A key figure in modern jazz, Swallow transitioned from double bass to electric bass in the early 1970s. Renowned for his melodic upper-register solos, played with a copper pick, he has collaborated with icons like Jimmy Giuffre, Gary Burton, Carla Bley, and John Scofield.

Swallow played a pivotal role in the creation of The Real Book during his time teaching at Berklee College of Music (1974–76). This now-iconic jazz fake book includes several of his compositions, such as “Chelsea Bells.” The 17-bar piece “Chelsea Bells” is harmonically adventurous, featuring spacious melodies, suspended chords, and no defined key center. Its ambient nature is showcased in Hotel Hello (1975), where Swallow’s piano work and Gary Burton’s vibraphone create a dreamlike soundscape. Swallow’s contributions to jazz composition and pedagogy remain influential and innovative.

Gary Burton and Steve Swallow Version

Sergio Corbini & Stefano Franceschini Quintet Version

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