Leny Andrade was a singer and musician whose incredible blend of bossa nova and jazz vocal improvisations garnered her the nickname “First Lady of Brazilian Jazz.”
- Died: July 24, 2023 (Who else died on July 24?)
- Details of death: Died in Rio de Janeiro of Lewy body dementia at the age of 80.
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Leny Andrade’s legacy
Born Leny de Andrade Lima in Rio de Janeiro, she initially studied classic piano and won a scholarship to the Brazilian Conservatory of Music based on the strength of her talent. However, in 1958, the sound of bossa nova grabbed Andrade’s attention, and she switched her focus from classical to popular music.
Andrade borrowed improvised vocalizations from jazz, called “scat,” and forged her own style that blended jazz and bossa nova. Through the 1960s and 1970s, she toured Mexico and Latin America, building a reputation as an energetic performer. In 1983, she made her United States debut at the Blue Note in New York City, one of the most legendary stages in jazz history. However, it took another decade for Andrade to receive wider recognition for her work. In 1991, a widely praised run at the Ballroom in Manhattan launched her into stardom, winning accolades from the likes of Liza Minnelli, Tony Bennett, and Peter Allen.
Andrade’s rich voice drew comparisons to such icons as Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan and led many to dub her the “First Lady of Brazilian Jazz.” She toured worldwide and released dozens of albums between 1961 and 2019, her last being “Alma Mía.” In 2007, she shared a win at the Latin Grammy Awards with César Camargo Mariano.
Tributes to Leny Andrade
Full obituary: The Washington Post
