bossa

Bossa is a Portuguese term whose most common cultural reference is bossa nova, a genre of Brazilian music that blends samba with jazz-influenced harmony. The word bossa itself generally means style, flair, or knack, and in Brazilian Portuguese it can describe a distinctive personal approach or charm, independent of music.

Bossa nova developed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1950s among songwriters and performers who sought a cooler, more intimate alternative to traditional samba. Key figures include João Gilberto, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and Vinícius de Moraes. Early landmark recordings such as Chega de Saudade (1958) helped define the sound, and the movement gained international attention with Getz/Gilberto (1964), a collaboration with American saxophonist Stan Getz that popularized the style worldwide.

Musically, bossa nova is typically guitar-based, featuring smooth vocal delivery and sophisticated, jazz-influenced harmonies. The rhythm is often described as a relaxed two-beat pattern that sits beneath subtle percussion, with instrumentation that commonly includes violão (acoustic guitar), piano, bass, and light drums or percussion such as pandeiro. Lyrics frequently explore themes of love, nature, and urban life, conveyed with a gentle, intimate mood.

Beyond music, the term bossa remains part of everyday Brazilian Portuguese, used to denote a certain flair or style. The phrase bossa nova literally translates to “new trend” or “new wave,” reflecting both the genre’s departure from past forms and its lasting cultural impact.