Antonio Brasileiro
Tom Jobim
1994
Why This Album Matters
Antonio Brasileiro is an indelible landmark in Antônio Carlos Jobim's discography, not only for being his final album, released posthumously on 11th December 1994, just days after his death, but for representing a sublime synthesis of his musical genius. The album, conceived in the maestro's final years, masterfully navigates between the elegance of bossa nova, the refinement of jazz, and the richness of Brazilian melody, elements that Jobim helped to define and popularise globally. This final work is not merely a farewell, but a celebration of the 'new thing' that Jobim created, a testament to his unceasing ability to innovate and move listeners. With intricate arrangements and sophisticated harmonies, Antonio Brasileiro solidifies the legacy of a composer who transformed global popular music, offering a repertoire that alternates between revisited classics and unreleased compositions, all permeated by Tom Jobim's unmistakable melodic signature.
Context
In the final phase of his life, Tom Jobim, already acclaimed as one of the greatest composers of the 20th century and the 'father of bossa nova', continued to explore and expand the frontiers of his music. From the effervescence of bossa nova in the 1960s, which fused samba with cool jazz and captivated the world, Jobim demonstrated constant evolution in his style. Over the decades, his work incorporated luxuriant orchestrations and a greater 'Brazilianness', without losing emotional intensity. Antonio Brasileiro emerges in this context as a golden closure to a brilliant career, where Jobim reaffirms his passion for Brazilian nature and melody, whilst simultaneously paying tribute to friends and musical influences. The album reflects the maturity of an artist who, even after years of international success, maintained a profound connection to his roots and an unshakeable musical curiosity.
Recording
The recording process for Antonio Brasileiro took place between September 1993 and January 1994, with artistic direction by Aramis Barros and graphic design and concept by Ana Lontra Jobim. The album's production was overseen by his son, Paulo Jobim, and his grandson, Daniel Jobim, the latter just 21 years old at the time, who also played keyboards on two tracks. Tom Jobim contributed piano, electric piano, and acoustic guitar, central elements of the album's sound. His accompanying band, affectionately named 'Banda Nova', featured his family, including his daughter Maria Luiza and granddaughter Elizabeth, as well as close friends such as Jaques Morelenbaum and Danilo Caymmi. A notable fact is that the last musical piece composed by Tom Jobim was the final violin section for the track "Meu Amigo Radamés", completed on the night before the strings were recorded in the studio. The album's booklet featured epigraphs from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and Guimarães Rosa, adding a poetic layer to the work.
Songs
Antonio Brasileiro's repertoire is a rich tapestry that blends well-known songs, such as the timeless "Só Danço Samba" and "How Insensitive (Insensatez)", with more recent compositions and significant partnerships. The track "How Insensitive (Insensatez)" gains a special dimension with vocal participation from Sting, a confessed admirer of Jobim's work. Other notable collaborations include Dorival Caymmi's voice on the delicate "Maricotinha", and the participation of his daughter Maria Luiza Jobim on "Samba de Maria Luiza" and "Forever Green", the former inspired by the features of his own daughter. The album also pays tribute, as in "Meu Amigo Radamés", dedicated to maestro Radamés Gnattali, and includes a re-recording of "Blue Train (Trem Azul)", a song by Lô Borges and Ronaldo Bastos, demonstrating the breadth of his references and his appreciation for other talents in Brazilian music. Paula Morelenbaum lends her voice to the emotional "Chora Coração".
Legacy
Released posthumously, Antonio Brasileiro quickly became a critical and public success, a final tribute to Tom Jobim's vast and influential career. International recognition came with the Grammy Award for Best Latin Jazz Album in 1995, a testament to the quality and lasting impact of his music. Commercially, the album sold over 100,000 copies, securing a gold certification. This success solidified Antonio Brasileiro not only as Jobim's last work, but as a masterpiece worthy of his legacy, which continues to inspire and influence generations of musicians and music lovers worldwide.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Daniel Jobim
Paulo Jobim
Elizabeth Jobim, Maucha Adnet, Paula Morelenbaum, Simone Caymmi
Ana Lontra Jobim
Sebastião Neto
Jaques Morelenbaum
Paulinho Braga
Danilo Caymmi
Antonio Carlos Jobim
Edu Oliveira
Jorge "Gordo" Guimarães, Sergio Rocha
Luiz Guilherme D'orey
Videos
"Antonio Brasileiro" - Tom Jobim | Melhores discos brasileiros dos anos 90 | Alta Fidelidade
Alta Fidelidade
Films
Books
Analyses
Antonio Brasileiro – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
FEITO PRA OUVIR: Tom Jobim - Antonio Brasileiro (1994)
feitopraouvir.blogspot.com
Tom Jobim lançava em 1994 pela Globo-Columbia "Antonio Brasileiro" o último disco de sua carreira. Produzido pelos filhos Pulo e Daniel Jobim o Lp foi gravado no Rio de Janeiro e conta ainda com as participações de Dorival Caymmi, Sting, Maria Luiza Jobim, Raul De Souza, Ron Carter e Márcio Montarroyos.
Blog da Música Brasileira: 1994 - Antonio Brasileiro
blogdamusicabrasileira.blogspot.com
1994 - Antonio Brasileiro Oi pessoal! Neste domingo, posto aqui no Blog mais um álbum do nosso grande Tom Jobim. Este, especialmente, é o último disco lançado por Tom Jobim em 1994, mesmo ano em que ele faleceu. Neste disco, Tom nos apresenta canções inesquecíveis de nosso maestro, como "How Insensitive (Insensatez)", "Surfboard" e "Só Danço O Samba", além de gratas surpresas, como ...
Tom Jobim - Antonio Brasileiro - Ouvir todas as 15 músicas
ouvirmusica.com.br
Venha ouvir "Só Danço Samba", "Piano Na Mangueira", "How Insensitive" e muitas outras músicas do álbum Tom Jobim - Antonio Brasileiro!
"Antônio Brasileiro", o último trabalho de Tom Jobim
cultura.uol.com.br
Na primeira edição da segunda temporada do programa, Fábio Caramuru e Babu Baía destacam o último disco da carreira de Tom Jobim, "Antônio Brasileiro", lançado três dias depois da sua morte em 11 de dezembro de 1994. No programa as canções: 1. "Só Danço Samba" (duas versões, sendo a primeira com Elza Soares, que foi ...
Discogs
Antonio Brasileiro – Discogs
discogs.com