Laurindo Almeida (1917-1995) was a pioneering Brazilian guitarist known for his profound impact on the fusion of Latin American music with American jazz, helping to create the subgenre known as Bossa Nova in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Almeida was a classically trained guitarist who moved to the United States in the 1940s, where he began a prolific career both as a solo artist and a collaborator. Throughout his career, Almeida won a significant following for his technical skill and his ability to blend different musical traditions seamlessly.

His collaborations with the saxophonist Bud Shank in the Laurindo Almeida Quartet are particularly celebrated, marking one of the first instances where jazz and samba were combined to create Bossa Nova. Through albums such as "Laurindo Almeida Quartet Featuring Bud Shank" and "Latin Contrasts," Almeida showcased his versatility, embracing elements of jazz, classical, and Latin music with equal proficiency. His wide-reaching influence is also evidenced by his involvement in film scores and classical guitar compositions, bringing Brazilian rhythms to new audiences around the globe. Almeida's legacy is that of a bridge between cultures, whose innovative work has left an indelible mark on the world of music.

Genres

Bossa Nova

Brazilian Jazz

Jazz Guitar

Violao

Violao Classico

Related Artists

Stan Getz

João Gilberto

Antônio Carlos Jobim

Astrud Gilberto

Charlie Byrd

Sérgio Mendes

Toquinho

Jim Hall

Baden Powell

Caetano Veloso

Ella Fitzgerald

John Coltrane

Latest Release

Laurindo Almeida Quartet Featuring Bud Shank

Laurindo Almeida

Album - 14 Tracks - Released May 17, 2024