Brazilian Tourist Office sponsors free Bossa Nova festival

Embratur, the Brazilian Tourist Office has today unveiled plans for a free festival celebrating the 50th anniversary of Bossa Nova at London’s South Bank on 6th July 2008, part of the Coin Street Festival.

Set in the heart of London, the free festival will be a celebration of Brazil’s contribution to music, celebrating the work of iconic Bossa Nova artists from the last 50 years and showcasing contemporary European and Brazilian artists who have drawn from Bossa Nova and given it a new edge.

London’s free Bossa Nova festival aims to raise awareness of Brazil’s rich music heritage, placing it firmly on the map as the number one destination for Bossa Nova music and promoting Brazil as a cultural holiday destination. Invented in 1958, Bossa Nova was a huge worldwide sensation from the 1960s, when the famous ‘Girl from Ipanema’ was released in English.

With over hundred thousand Brazilians currently residing in London, the two day festival will not only be a fantastic opportunity for Brazilians to celebrate their heritage but will also give those with limited knowledge of Bossa Nova a chance to learn and enjoy its captivating sound.

London’s free Bossa Nova Festival is a celebration of music that has influenced generations from around the world and had a significant impact on music from the last 50 years. Contemporary European artists will be performing a unique modern take of Bossa Nova and traditional Bossa Nova songs will get a contemporary twist, the 50th Anniversary festival will captivate and re-introduce Bossa Nova to a younger generation.

The UK is rapidly becoming one of the launch pads for this new wave of music, bringing together the undulating, summery sounds of Brazil’s rhythm with the contemporary feel of drum loops and electronics. Brazil remains a rich breeding ground and inspiration for new musical styles but it is in Europe that some of the classic music of the past is being rejuvenated by contemporary sounds and production.

Headlining acts include acclaimed French collective Nouvelle Vague and Zeep (formerly known as Smoke City), who had a huge hit with Underwater Love back in 1997 and BBC Radio 1 DJ, Eddie Piller will be getting the decks out for a fantastic live session of Bossa Nova.

Delicious Brazilian food will also be available, serving traditional dishes like churrasco and coxinhas and infamous Brazilian beers and Brazil’s most famous spirit Cachaca will undoubtedly get taste buds flowing.

Guanabara, London’s hugely popular Brazilian club will be kicking off the celebrations on 2nd July 2008, with a dedicated night of Bossa Nova music. Nina Miranda and Zeep (formerly known as Smoke City) will be headlining amongst a host of renowned artists such as Rio Jazz, Neil C. Young and Sirius B for a truly wonderful night of culture, music and fun.

Chris Fuzinatto, Brazilian Tourist Office Director for UK & Ireland, says “What a fantastic milestone for Brazilian music – 50 years of Bossa Nova is such an achievement. Throughout the sixties it captured the hearts of the world and I am thrilled that it is still going strong today. It will be a truly memorable event that will offer the people of London a little slice of Brazilian culture that will hopefully entice them to holiday in Brazil. This is an important opportunity to highlight Brazil’s heritage and research tells that Brazil’s main attraction for the great British public is its rich culture, the UK is one of our best performers in terms of tourism – but there is of course room for this to grow.”

London’s free Bossa Nova festival will be a rich collaboration of music history, talent and rich Brazilian heritage that will undoubtedly thrill audiences of all ages for truly wonderful must-see music weekend. For more information visit Bossa-brazil.com.