Provenance

Bossa Nova, that ground breaking way of playing the samba with modern everyday references in its lyrics, burst forth in Rio De Janeiro a little over 50 years ago with songs such as The Girl from Ipanema by Tom Jobim and Vinicius De Moraes, and Eu Vim de Bahia by Joao Gilberto, which is my personal bossa favorite.

And in the whole of Rio (probably Brazil), perhaps no-one knows more about its origins and key artists than Carlos (pictured) who owns and runs Toca de Vinicius, a fabulous LP, CD, DVD and bookshop dedicated exclusively to Bossa Nova, in Ipanema itself. He is a marvellous raconteur sometimes breaking into a samba rhythm as he speaks (and there are over 50 of them!). Here he is pictured between two of the greats of Bossa, Ruy Castro and Ronaldo Boscoli; Carlos acclaims the latter as the leader of the entire Bossa Nova school.

One of our missions here was to find a CD of Vinicius de Moraes and Toquinho playing together as a small gift for Lo Jardinier, loyal supporter in all things blip of Chaiselongue , and a great Bossa Nova fan; I'm pleased to report mission accomplished! Carlos was in fact holding the CD in his hands as this shot was taken; there is nothing to beat provenance!