Biography
Antônio Carlos Jobim, affectionately known as 'Tom,' was born on January 25, 1927, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Growing up near the beaches and lush landscapes of Rio, Jobim was immersed in the rhythms of Brazilian samba and the harmonies of European classical music, drawing early inspiration from composers like Debussy and Ravel as well as Brazilian musicians such as Pixinguinha. He began studying piano and harmony in his youth and started his professional career playing piano in bars and nightclubs in Rio de Janeiro in the 1940s, later working as an arranger at Continental Studio in the early 1950s. His first composition to be recorded was 'Incerteza' in 1953, with lyrics by Newton Mendonça.
Jobim became a primary force behind the creation of bossa nova, a genre that fused samba rhythms with cool jazz harmonies and a relaxed, sophisticated feel. In the late 1950s, his collaboration with poet Vinicius de Moraes produced the music for the play Orfeu da Conceição, later adapted into the Oscar-winning film Black Orpheus (1959), whose soundtrack Jobim co-wrote with Luiz Bonfá and helped launch bossa nova internationally. The genre’s breakthrough came with João Gilberto’s 1958 recording of Jobim’s 'Chega de Saudade' and 'Desafinado,' and later with the landmark 1964 album Getz/Gilberto, featuring Stan Getz, João Gilberto, and Astrud Gilberto, whose hit 'The Girl from Ipanema' brought Jobim global fame. Jobim’s lush harmonies, poetic melodies, and signature bossa nova sound made him one of the most celebrated songwriters of the 20th century, and his music remains a cornerstone of Brazilian music, jazz, and world music.
Fun Facts
- Jobim’s nickname 'Tom' came from his full name, Antônio Carlos Jobim, and was used affectionately by friends and fellow musicians throughout his career.
- The song 'The Girl from Ipanema' is one of the most recorded songs in jazz history, with hundreds of versions by artists across genres and languages.
- Jobim composed the music for the play Orfeu da Conceição, which became the basis for the Academy Award–winning film Black Orpheus, helping to introduce bossa nova to a global audience.
- Despite his international fame, Jobim maintained a deep connection to Rio de Janeiro’s natural beauty, which inspired many of his songs, including 'Waters of March' ('Águas de Março').
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Debussy - Stylistic influence on harmony and impressionistic textures (Classical works influencing Jobim's harmonic language) [1940s–1950s]
- Ravel - Stylistic influence on harmony and orchestration (Classical works influencing Jobim's harmonic language) [1940s–1950s]
- Pixinguinha - Brazilian choro and samba composer who influenced Jobim's early Brazilian style (Brazilian instrumental and popular music) [1940s–1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Vinicius de Moraes - Poet and lyricist; long-term songwriting partner (Orfeu da Conceição, 'Chega de Saudade', 'Garota de Ipanema', 'Corcovado', 'Insensatez') [1950s–1960s]
- João Gilberto - Guitarist and vocalist; key pioneer of bossa nova and frequent collaborator (Getz/Gilberto (1964), early bossa nova recordings) [1950s–1960s]
- Stan Getz - American saxophonist; major jazz collaborator (Getz/Gilberto (1964), Jazz Samba (1962)) [1960s]
- Astrud Gilberto - Vocalist; featured on Getz/Gilberto and other bossa nova recordings (Getz/Gilberto (1964)) [1960s]
- Luiz Bonfá - Composer and guitarist; co-composer of the Black Orpheus soundtrack (Black Orpheus (1959) film score) [1950s]
Artists Influenced
- Sérgio Mendes - Brazilian pianist and bandleader influenced by Jobim's fusion of Brazilian rhythms and jazz (Brasil '66 recordings, bossa nova and MPB projects) [1960s–present]
- Eliane Elias - Brazilian jazz pianist and singer whose work draws heavily on Jobim's harmonic and stylistic language (Bossa Nova Stories, dedicated Jobim tributes) [1980s–present]
- Diana Krall - Jazz vocalist influenced by bossa nova; has recorded Jobim’s songs and adopted his style (Quiet Nights (2009), featuring Jobim repertoire) [2000s–present]
- Pat Metheny - Jazz guitarist and composer who has cited Jobim as a major influence and recorded his works (Tribute albums and performances of Jobim’s music) [1980s–present]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Elis & Tom | 1974-06-17 | Album |
| Sinatra/Jobim: The Complete Reprise Recordings | 1967-03 | Album |
| Inédito | 2007-06-20 | Album |
| Wave | 1967-06-15 | Album |
| Miucha & Tom Jobim Vol. 1 | 1977-07-15 | Album |
| The Composer Of Desafinado, Plays | 1963-08-01 | Album |
| Rio Revisited | 1989 | Album |
| Stone Flower (CTI Records 40th Anniversary Edition) | 1970 | Album |
| The Wonderful World Of Antonio Carlos Jobim | 1965 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Águas De Março (Elis & Tom)
- Água de Beber (The Astrud Gilberto Album)
- Pela Luz dos Olhos Teus - Bonus Track (Miucha & Tom Jobim Vol. 1)
- Corcovado (Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars) (Getz/Gilberto (Expanded Edition))
- The Girl From Ipanema (Sinatra/Jobim: The Complete Reprise Recordings)
- Garota De Ipanema (Inédito)
- Wave (Wave)
- Só Tinha De Ser Com Você (Elis & Tom)
- The Girl From Ipanema - Single Version (Getz/Gilberto (Expanded Edition))
- The Girl From Ipanema - 2008 Remastered
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
Antonio Carlos Jobim has been played 2 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2026 | 14:58 | Brigas Nunca Mais | Tudo Bem (Brazilian)w/ Dean Ellis | |
| Dec 8, 2025 | 01:57 | So Danco Sambafrom Antonio Brasileiro | The Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis |