Bossa Nova founder Johnny Alf dies at 80

Published 10:46 pm Friday, March 5, 2010

RIO DE JANEIRO — A founder of Bossa Nova music has died in Brazil after fighting prostate cancer. He was 80. A hospital near Sao Paulo said Alf died Thursday evening.

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.

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.