Johnny Alf, one of Bossa Nova's founders is pictured in this photograph. Alf died March 4th at the age of 80.
Johnny Alf
One of Bossa Nova's founders dies at 80
The Associated Press
RIO DE JANEIRO
A founder of Bossa Nova music has died in Brazil after fighting prostate cancer . He was 80.
Pianist Johnny Alf was called the "true father of Bossa Nova" by Ruy Castro, who wrote a definitive history of the music. Alf widely influenced later stars.
A statement from a hospital near Sao Paulo says Alf died Thursday evening of multiple organ failure.
Alf was born Alfredo Jose da Silva on May 19, 1929, in Rio de Janeiro. He was an aficionado of early American jazz, which greatly influenced his work and that of Bossa Nova as a whole.
He appeared on 46 albums, but only recorded nine solo records.
His 1955 songs "Rapaz de bem" and "O Tempo e o vento" are considered by many the start of Bossa Nova.
Johnny Alf
March 4, 2010
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