Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto & Astrud Gilberto’s jazz-pop sensation “The Girl From Ipanema” and their March 1964 album “Getz/Gilberto” launched Brazil’s bossa nova music into the upper echelons of 1960s pop-culture.

While it wasn’t the first mainstream album to highlight bossa nova (Stan Getz’s 1962 “Jazz Samba” album, recorded with Silver Spring’s own Charlie Byrd, was a major hit, for example), and many Brazilian music aficionados cite other albums as being technically superior, “Getz/Gilberto” is still one of the most popular records of all time, and is seen by the general public as the definitive bossa nova recording.

So how did “Getz/Gilberto” become the Brazilian album known around the world, crossing generational and demographic divides?

Join us Saturday, March 23, at 6pm, as Bryan McCann, professor and chair of the Department of History in the College of Arts & Sciences at Georgetown University, discusses the making of “Getz/Gilberto,” and how the album emerged from the context of Bossa Nova Rio de Janeiro, the brief period when the distinct rhythms of bossa nova seemed to distill the spirit of a modernizing city.

McCann will read from his book on “Getz/Gilberto,” published by Bloomsbury UK as part of their 33 1/3 series, and perform a selection of bossa nova songs, accompanied by vocalist Tatiana Claro and guitarist Tom Rohde.

Getz/Gilberto & The Rise Of Bossa Nova
WHO: Bryan McCann, Tatiana Claro and Tom Rohde
WHEN: Saturday, March 23, 6pm-7pm
WHERE: Mojomala Books, Records & Cool Stuff
8401 Colesville Rd. #140, Silver Spring, MD, 20910
COST: Free admission; standing room only
PARKING: Use the county lot one block west at Cameron St./2nd Ave.

Record Store Day is April 20!

The Record Store Day orders have been placed and now we’re counting down the days until Saturday, April 20! We won’t know yet how many records we will actually receive but we tried to get a large representation of great music across different genres. A few logistical details: we will open early that day, and we’ll try to set some rules and guidelines to make it fair for everyone. We are not allowed to hold any items. More details will follow in the next email newsletter, and on our social media pages.

New cool stuff spotlight …

Here’s a quick shout-out to Jeff Moore whose incredible woodcut artwork is now available at Mojomala. Jeff owns Moore Woodtech, a local family-owned business specializing in wood craft and artistry for homes and small businesses. We love his amazing Silver Spring maps (seen here) and his local landmarks series featuring the Fillmore and the never-forgotten Mrs. K’s Toll House. Check out his work the next time you are in the shop!

And if you are an artist or maker like Jeff, and have a product you think would be a good fit for Mojomala, let us know!