Gilberto Gil
 |
The minister sets the rhythm for Brazil's culture policy |
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira (born
June 26,
1942) is a
Brazilian singer,
guitarist and
songwriter, and the country's current
Minister of Culture. Gil is best known for his late 1960s
tropicalismo recordings, including "Roda", "Lunik 9", and "Domingo No Parque".
Elis Regina recorded many of his songs.
He began his career as a
bossa nova musician, but soon began writing songs that reflected a new focus on political awareness and social activism, along with fellow singer
Caetano Veloso. In the 1970s, Gil added new elements of African and North American music to his already broad palette, and continued to release a steady stream of albums, including
Realce and
Refazenda. João Gilberto recorded Gil's "Eu Vim Da Bahia" ("I Came from Bahia") on his classic
João Gilberto LP.
In 1969, Gil and Veloso, whose status in Brazil was, and is, equivalent to that of
John Lennon and
Paul McCartney in the English-speaking world, were arrested by the
military government of Brazil for anti-government activities. Upon their release, the pair both moved to
London. Gil began playing with groups like
Yes,
Pink Floyd and the
Incredible String Band, while continuing his solo career. In the 1970s, he toured the
US and recorded an English-language album. He worked with
Jimmy Cliff and released in 1980 a
cover of "No Woman, No Cry" (
Bob Marley & the Wailers) that was a massive hit and introduced
reggae to Brazil.
Gil continued recording, performing and involving himself in various social causes, and was eventually elected to office in
Salvador, his hometown, in the early 1990s. His 1993 album with Caetano Veloso,
Tropicália 2, featured a cover of a
Jimi Hendrix song, "Wait Until Tomorrow", and is regarded as one of his finest efforts since the late 1960s.
When President
Lula da Silva took office in
January 2003, he chose Gil to serve as Brazil's new Minister of Culture.
During Ministry, Gil released his songs
Refazenda,
Rebento,
Refavela and 'Oslodum' under the
Creative Commons Sampling License.
In May
2005 Gil was awarded the
Polar Music Prize in
Stockholm,
Sweden. He was the first Latin American recipent of the annual award, which was given to him by the
King of Sweden. Gil also performed four songs in an outdoors concert the day before the award show and again at the show with only two songs, accompanied by
Jimmy Cliff.
In September
2005 he was awarded the
Légion d'honneur from the French Government. This coincided with the Année du Brésil en France (Brazil's Year in France).
His daughter
Preta Gil is also a musician.
*
Gilberto Gil official site*
Curriculum Vitae*
Gilberto Gil: Cultivator Of The Spirit*
Gilberto Gil*
Wired Mag - We Pledge Allegiance to the Penguin*
Gilberto Gil Concert Pictures*
Slipcue.com Gilberto Gil discography
