Her name is Nara Leao

My first encounter with Nara Leao was when I watched the movie-documentary 'This is bossanova' at the end of 2007. At that time, I've only started listening to bossanova for around a year and started singing it for only a few months.

Throughout the documentary, her name came up many times which made me curious about why this musician is so special. As a newbie to bossanova and Brazilian music, I only knew the most famous musicians that my band members or friend told me about such as Antonio Carlos Jobim (The God hehe), Joao Gilberto, Astrud Gilberto, Toquinho, Sergio Mendes etc...

It took me a few months to finally get her CD. The CD I chose (Dez Ano Depois) which is recorded in Paris is said to be one of her best, AND it its! I've listened to that album so many times I can almost sing along to each song now (and this is from a person who can't speak Portuguese). The CD is so impactful, it inspired me to make music of my own with my guitar.

There is something special in her eyes and in her voice that I can't describe, but it mesmerises me. It is so sweet and pure, yet so melancholy. I guess that is what they call the feeling of 'Saudade'.

Nara Leao (January 19, 1942 - June 7, 1989) was born in Espirito Santo and moved to Rio de Janeiro at a young age. Her father bought her first guitar when she was 12 years old. Great musicians like Carlos Lyra and Roberto Menescal taught her how to play the guitar.

In the 50s, she was a journalist and a performer. In the late 50s, she took part in the Bossanova revolution. She played at universities and started working with Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius de Moraes, Joao Gilberto, Chico Buraque and other great musicians. In 1963, she became a professional musician.

In the 70s, she moved to Paris and left the music industry to focus on her family. She returned to music in 1979. Soon after, she discovered she had a brain tumor. She recorded another 10 albums before she passed away. She died in 1989.

(If there are any errors in the information I have written or information you would like to add, feel free to write them in the comments)