Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil | |
---|---|
Born | Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira 26 June 1942 |
Education | Federal University of Bahia (BBA) |
Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, politician |
Political party |
|
Spouses | Belina de Aguiar
(m. 1965; sep. 1967)Sandra Gadelha
(m. 1969; div. 1980)Flora Giordano (m. 1981) |
Children | 8 (including Preta) |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instrument(s) | |
Years active | 1959–present |
Labels | |
Website | gilbertogil |
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʒiwˈbɛʁtu ˈʒiw]; born 26 June 1942), is a Brazilian singer-songwriter and politician, known for both his musical innovation and political activism. From 2003 to 2008, he served as Brazil's Minister of Culture in the administration of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Gil's musical style incorporates an eclectic range of influences, including rock, Brazilian genres including samba, African music, and reggae.
Gil started to play music as a child and was a teenager when he joined his first band. He began his career as a
Early life (1942–1963)
Gil was born in Salvador and spent much of his childhood in Ituaçu. Ituaçu was a small town of fewer than a thousand people, located in the sertão, or countryside, of Bahia.[1] His father, José Gil Moreira, was a doctor; his mother, Claudina Passos Gil Moreira, an elementary school teacher.[1][2] As a young boy, he attended a Marist Brothers school.[3] Gil remained in Ituaçu until he was nine years old, returning to Salvador for secondary school.
Gil's interest in music was precocious: "When I was only two or two and a half", he recalled, "I told my mother I was going to become a musician or president of my country".[4] He grew up listening to the forró music of his native northeast,[2] and took an interest in the street performers of Salvador.[5] Early on, he began to play the drums and the trumpet, through listening to Bob Nelson on the radio.[6] Gil's mother was the "chief supporter" in his musical ambitions; she bought him an accordion and, when he was ten years old, sent him to music school in Salvador which he attended for four years.[1][4] As an accordionist, Gil first played classical music, but grew more interested in the folk and popular music of Brazil.[1] He was particularly influenced by singer and accordion player Luiz Gonzaga; he began to sing and play the accordion in an emulation of Gonzaga's recordings.[7] Gil has noted that he grew to identify with Gonzaga "because he sang about the world around [him], the world that [he] encountered".[8]
During his years in Salvador, Gil encountered the music of songwriter Dorival Caymmi, who he says represented to him the "beach-oriented" samba music of Salvador.[8] Gonzaga and Caymmi were Gil's formative influences.[1] While in Salvador, Gil was introduced to many other styles of music, including American big band jazz and tango.[8] In 1950 Gil moved back to Salvador with his family. It was there, while in high school, that he joined his first band, Os Desafinados ("The Out of Tunes"), in which he played accordion and vibraphone and sang.[1] Os Desafinados was influenced by American rock and roll musicians like Elvis Presley, as well as singing groups from Rio de Janeiro.[1] The band was active for two to three years. Soon afterwards, inspired by Brazilian musician João Gilberto, he settled on the guitar as his primary instrument and began to play bossa nova.[5]
Musical career (1963–present)
Gil met guitarist and singer
Early on in the 1960s, Gil earned income primarily from selling bananas in a shopping mall and composing
Imprisonment and exile
In October 1968, Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso performed at Sucata club in Rio de Janeiro, with
In February 1969 Gil and Veloso were arrested by the
When he went back to Bahia in 1972, Gil focused on his musical career and environmental advocacy work.
In 1996, Gil contributed "Refazenda" to the AIDS-Benefit Album Red Hot + Rio produced by the Red Hot Organization.
In 1998 the live version of his album Quanta won Gil the
In 2010 he released the album Fé Na Festa, a record devoted to forró, a style of music from Brazil's northeast. His tour to promote this album received some negative feedback from fans who were expecting to hear a set featuring his hits.[26] In 2013, Gilberto Gil plays his own role as a singer and promoter of cultural diversity in a long feature documentary shot around the southern hemisphere by Swiss filmmaker Pierre-Yves Borgeaud, Viramundo: a musical journey with Gilberto Gil, distributed worldwide. The film also inaugurates the T.I.D.E. experiment for pan-European and multi-support releases.[27]
His album OK OK OK was ranked as the 4th best Brazilian album of 2018 by the Brazilian edition of Rolling Stone magazine[28] and among the 25 best Brazilian albums of the second half of 2018 by the São Paulo Association of Art Critics.[29]
Political career (1987–present)
Gilberto Gil | |
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Minister of Culture | |
In office 1 January 2003 – 30 July 2008 | |
President | Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
Preceded by | Francisco Weffort |
Succeeded by | Juca Ferreira |
Councillor of Salvador | |
In office 1 January 1989 – 1 January 1993 | |
Constituency | At-large |
Personal details | |
Political party | PMDB (1988–90) |
Signature | |
Gil describes his attitude towards politics thus: "I'd rather see my position in the government as that of an administrator or manager. But politics is a necessary ingredient."
When President
As Minister, he sponsored a program called Culture Points, which gave
Personal life
Gil has been married four times. He had two daughters Nara and Marilia, with first wife Belina Aguiar. He was then married to famous singer Nana Caymmi, they had no children. His third wife was Sandra Gadelha with whom he had three children: Pedro, Preta and Maria. Sandra inspired one of his most beloved songs Drao, she was with him during the very hard times of Brazilian dictatorship and they both were exiled. His fourth wife is Flora Giordano. The couple has three children: Bem, Isabella and Jose. His first son Pedro Gil, Egotrip's drummer – died in a car accident in 1990.[44] Preta Gil, an actress and singer, is his daughter with Sandra Gadelha.
Gil's religious beliefs have changed significantly over his lifetime. Originally, he was a Christian, but was later influenced by Eastern philosophy and religion, and, later, explored African spirituality. He is an agnostic.[44] He practices yoga and is a vegetarian.[11]
Gil has been open about the fact that he has smoked marijuana for much of his life. He has said he believes "that drugs should be treated like pharmaceuticals, legalized, although under the same regulations and monitoring as medicines".[45]
Musical style and influences
Gil is a tenor, but he sings in the baritone or falsetto register, with lyrics and/or scat syllables. His lyrics are on subjects that range from philosophy to religion, folktales, and word play.[46] Gil's musical style incorporates a broad range of influences. The first music he was exposed to included The Beatles and street performers in various metropolitan areas of Bahia. During his first years as a musician, Gil performed primarily in a blend of traditional Brazilian styles with two-step rhythms, such as baião and samba.[4] He states that "My first phase was one of traditional forms. Nothing experimental at all. Caetano [Veloso] and I followed in the tradition of Luiz Gonzaga and Jackson do Pandeiro, combining samba with northeastern music."[4] American music critic Robert Christgau said that along with Jorge Ben, Gil was "always ready to go further out on a beat than the other samba/bossa geniuses".[47]
As one of the pioneers of tropicália, influences from genres such as rock and
Visiting Lagos, Nigeria, in 1976 for the Festival of African Culture (FESTAC), Gil met fellow musicians Fela Kuti and Stevie Wonder.[1] He became inspired by African music and later integrated some of the styles he had heard in Africa, such as juju and highlife, into his own recordings.[50] One of the most famous of these African-influenced records was the 1977 album Refavela, which included "No Norte da Saudade" (To the North of Sadness), a song heavily influenced by reggae.[51] When Gil returned to Brazil after the visit, he focused on Afro-Brazilian culture, becoming a member of the Carnaval afoxé group Filhos de Gandhi.
Conversely, his 1980s musical repertoire presented an increased development of dance trends, such as disco and soul, as well as the previous incorporation of rock and punk.[49] However, Gil says that his 1994 album Acoustic was not such a new direction, as he had previously performed unplugged with Caetano Veloso. He describes the method of playing as easier than other types of performance, as the energy of acoustic playing is simple and influenced by its roots.[52] Gil has been criticized for a conflicting involvement in both authentic Brazilian music and the worldwide musical arena. He has had to walk a fine line, simultaneously remaining true to traditional Bahian styles and engaging with commercial markets. Listeners in Bahia have been much more accepting of his blend of music styles, while those in southeast Brazil felt at odds with it.[49]
Discography
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Awards, nominations, and positions
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Year | Work | Award | Result |
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1981 | N/A | Anchieta Medal—São Paulo City Council | Won |
1986 | N/A | The Gold Dolphin—Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro | Won |
1990 | N/A | Ministry of Culture of France |
Won |
1990 | N/A | Commendator of the Order of Rio Branco | Won |
1997 | N/A | Ordre national du Mérite | Won |
1999 | Quanta Live | Best World Music Album |
Won |
1999 | N/A | Order of Cultural Merit—Ministry of Culture | Won |
1999 | N/A | UNESCO Artist for Peace—United Nations | Won |
2001 | Eu Tu Eles | Cinema Brazil Grand Prize—Best Music | Nominated |
2001 | As Canções De Eu, Tu, Eles | Latin Grammy Award—Brazilian Roots/Regional Album | Won |
2001 | N/A | Goodwill Ambassador—Food and Agriculture Organization | Won |
2002 | Viva São João! | Passista Trophy—Long Documentary – Best Score | Won |
2002 | Viva São João! | Passista Trophy—Long Documentary – Best Score | Won |
2003 | N/A | Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year | Won |
2005 | Eletracústico | Grammy Award—Best Contemporary World Music Album |
Won |
2005 | N/A | Polar Music Prize | Won |
2005 | N/A | Légion d'honneur |
Won |
2016 | Gilbertos Samba Ao Vivo | Grammy Award for Best World Music Album |
Nominated |
2019 | Ok Ok Ok | Latin Grammy Award for Best MPB Album | Won[53] |
See also
References
- ^ ISSN 1537-8241.
- ^ a b c d e Tepel, Oliver (August 7, 2006). "Gilberto Gil". The international artist database. culturebase.net. Archived from the original on November 20, 2006. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
- ^ Veloso (2003), p. 180
- ^ a b c d Quinn, Mike (September 17, 1999). "Mixing Miami With Copacabana". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ All Media Guide. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ a b c d Tourneen, Saudades. "Gilberto Gil". Europe Jazz Network. Archived from the original on March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ Wald (2007), pp. 113–116
- ^ ISSN 0730-9139.
- ^ Veloso (2003), p. 46
- ^ Barteldes, Ernest (March 29, 2007). "Gilberto Gil". Miami New Times. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved May 2, 2008.
- ^ a b c Goodman, Amy (June 25, 2008). "From Political Prisoner to Cabinet Minister: Legendary Brazilian Musician Gilberto Gil on His Life, His Music and the Digital Divide" (radio). Democracy Now!. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
- ISSN 2176-8552.
- ^ "Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso: the story of a friendship". Google Arts & Culture. Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ a b Lichote, Leonardo (September 14, 2020). "A ditadura brasileira contra Caetano Veloso: os arquivos completos da repressão". El País Brasil (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved May 15, 2023.
- ^ Veloso (2003), pp. 219–220
- ^ a b Dibbell, Julian (November 2004). "We Pledge Allegiance to the Penguin". Wired. Vol. 12, no. 11. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- National Public Radio. Retrieved May 10, 2008.
- ^ Veloso (2003), pp. 262–263
- ^ a b Lewis, John (July 15, 2010). "Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso in London". The Guardian. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ a b Staff (September 1, 2003). "Brazil's Gilberto Gil, minister of cool". Reuters via CNN. São Paulo, Brazil. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ Crook (2005), p. 141
- Universidade de Brasília. p. 14. Archived from the original(PDF) on May 27, 2008. Retrieved May 24, 2008.
- ^ Crook (2005), pp. 142–143
- ^ Staff (May 4, 2005). "Gilberto Gil Receives Polar Music Prize". Associated Press via Billboard. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ Durand, Fabien (October 13, 2005). "Cérémonie de remise des insignes de Grand Officier dans l'ordre national de la Légion d'honneur à Gilberto Gil". Culture.fr (in French). Retrieved March 18, 2008.
- ^ Russ Slater (July 27, 2010). "Gilberto Gil at Royal Festival Hall – July 21st". Sounds and Colours. Retrieved July 27, 2010.
- ^ TIDE to “day-and-date” release Gilberto Gil doc in ten countries Archived October 17, 2015, at the Wayback Machine, SCREEN Daily, February 27, 2013, by Melanie Goodfellow
- ^ Antunes, Pedro (December 21, 2018). "Rolling Stone Brasil: os 50 melhores discos nacionais de 2018". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Portuguese). Grupo Perfil. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ Antunes, Pedro (November 30, 2018). "Baco Exu do Blues, Gilberto Gil, Duda Beat: os 25 melhores discos brasileiros do segundo semestre de 2018, segundo a APCA". Rolling Stone Brasil (in Portuguese). Grupo Perfil. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ a b Rohter, Larry (March 11, 2007). "Gilberto Gil Hears the Future, Some Rights Reserved". The New York Times. Salvador, Bahia. Retrieved August 16, 2009.
- ^ Steward, Sue (October 19, 2003). "Minister of cool: part one". The Observer. Guardian Media Group. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ Staff (2004). "Gilberto Gil:: vida". gilbertogil.com.br (in Portuguese). Gege Produções Artísticas Ltda. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
- ^ Staff. "Singer Gilberto Gil". FAO Ambassadors Programme. Food and Agriculture Organization. Retrieved September 17, 2009.
- ^ a b Rohter, Larry (December 31, 2002). "A Government Gig for Brazilian Pop Star; Gilberto Gil Becomes Culture Minister, But Not Everyone Sings His Praises". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2008.
- ^ "Gilberto Gil on Democracy Now". Creative Commons. June 25, 2008. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "MEMORIAL TRIBUTE CONCERT BY GILBERTO GIL TO BE HELD AT UNITED NATIONS HEADQUARTERS | Meetings Coverage and Press Releases".
- TheGuardian.com. October 31, 2015.
- ^ "Toda menina baiana". YouTube. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved October 22, 2021.
- ^ Rohter, Larry (March 12, 2007). "Gilberto Gil and the politics of music". International Herald Tribune. Salvador, Brazil: The New York Times Company. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ Rohter, Larry (March 14, 2007). "Brazilian Government Invests in Culture of Hip-Hop". The New York Times. São Paulo, Brazil. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
- ^ Werman, Marco (March 22, 2007). "Gilberto Gil" (radio). The World. BBC World Service and Public Radio International. Retrieved March 22, 2008.
- ^ The New York Times (November 12, 2007). "Gilberto Gil to Resign". The New York Times. Retrieved March 15, 2008.
- ^ "Brazil musician leaves government". BBC News. BBC. July 31, 2008. Retrieved August 9, 2008.
- ^ Gannett Company. Retrieved May 17, 2008.
- ^ Staff (August 22, 2006). "Brazilians Reject Marijuana Legalization". Angus Reid Global Monitor. Archived from the original on March 6, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2008.
- ^ Rohter, Larry (November 8, 1992). "Gilberto Gil, Bahia's Most Beloved Export". The New York Times. Retrieved March 24, 2008.
- ^ Christgau, Robert (April 6, 1993). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
- ^ a b Veloso (2003), p. 191
- ^ S2CID 191430137.
- ^ Staff (July 1, 2003). "'Brazil has a new energy'". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on December 10, 2004. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
- ^ Crook (2005), p. 82
- ^ Eyre, Banning; Gil, Gilberto (June 3, 1995). "Interview: Gilberto Gil (1995)". Afropop Worldwide. Archived from the original on May 13, 2008. Retrieved May 3, 2008.
- ^ Cabo, Leila (November 14, 2019). "Latin Grammys 2019 Winners: Complete List". Billboard. MRC. Retrieved September 9, 2020.
Sources
- Perrone, Charles A. Masters of Contemporary Brazilian Song: MPB 1965–1985. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1989. Chapter 3. Gilberto Gil: Guidance and Afro-Brazilliance.
- Crook, Larry (2005). Brazilian Music: Northeastern Traditions and the Heartbeat of a Modern Nation. ISBN 1-57607-287-8.
- ISBN 978-0-306-81281-1.
- ISBN 978-0-415-97930-6.
- Di Carlo, Josnei (2020).Is there a theory of peripheral postmodernism? Tropicália and the art criticism of Mário Pedrosa in the 1960s .Revista do Instituto de Estudos Brasileiros, 1(76): 18-33.
External links
- Official website
- Music Is Pleasure: An Interview with Gilberto Gil Archived February 10, 2017, at the Wayback Machine
- Wide-ranging one-hour interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now!, June 25, 2008 (video, audio, and print transcript)
- Gilberto Gil discography on Slipcue.com