Farewell to the First Lady of Brazilian Jazz: Leny Andrade Passes Away at 80
The world of jazz is mourning the loss of a true legend as Leny Andrade, renowned as the first lady of Brazilian jazz, bids us farewell. On July 24, Andrade passed away in Rio de Janeiro at the age of 80 after battling Lewy body dementia. Her husky, percussive voice seasoned by late-night performances and the lingering scent of cigarette smoke left an indelible mark on the hearts of music lovers worldwide.
With a career spanning an impressive 65 years, Leny Andrade was not only a talented singer but a true improviser, infusing her performances with the samba-driven rhythms of Brazil. She was an interpreter with a worldly-wise touch, evoking comparisons to the great Édith Piaf, and a consummate nightclub artist who captivated audiences with her captivating voice and magnetic stage presence.
Throughout her illustrious career, Andrade’s unique vocal style and passionate delivery earned her a devoted fan base that included musical giants like Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Tony Bennett, and Dizzy Gillespie, among many other illustrious contemporaries.
Born in Rio de Janeiro on January 25, 1943, Leny de Andrade Lima initially studied classical piano for a decade at her mother’s insistence. However, in 1958, the enchanting sounds of bossa nova beckoned to the teenager, leading her to make a bold decision to leave classical music behind and embrace the world of pop.
Andrade’s musical aspirations found their purpose when she encountered the spellbinding art of scat singing, performed by none other than the talented Dolores Duran. Guided by her half-brother Dudu, a sax and flute player, the young Leny began singing in clubs, with one of her early performance venues being the famous Beco das Garrafas (Bottles Bar) in Copacabana, a significant cradle of bossa nova.
As her musical journey unfolded, Andrade’s style evolved, and she found her voice, not as a traditional bossa nova singer, but as a powerful and swing-driven performer reminiscent of her American idols, such as Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, and Carmen McRae.
Her career reached new heights in 1965 when she teamed up with baritone crooner Pery Ribeiro to form the bossa group Gemini V, which took them to Mexico, where Andrade lived for nearly seven years. There, she fell in love with the sultry passion of boleros, which became an integral part of her repertoire. During her time in Mexico, she had the opportunity to meet and befriend the likes of Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan.
Andrade’s dream of making her debut in the United States came true in 1983 when she performed at New York’s Blue Note. However, it was in 1992, during her engagements at the Ballroom, a Manhattan cabaret, that her stateside career truly took off. Critics from The New York Times and other prestigious publications praised her as a hidden gem of Brazilian jazz, and her performances consistently drew packed crowds.
While most of her songs were in Portuguese, Andrade’s sharp wit and sometimes saucy humor, delivered in slow, deliberate English, endeared her to audiences. Her performances were not only musically captivating but also entertaining and filled with charisma.
Her love for New York was evident, as she kept an apartment there for years while touring the country and even performed at renowned venues like the Hollywood Bowl. She released numerous albums, each showcasing her remarkable talent and vocal prowess, often paying tribute to influential figures in Brazilian music.
Andrade’s voice had a distinct smokiness, a product of her lifelong cigarette habit. While some may have advised her to quit, she found that her voice sounded even richer after smoking. Andrade eventually stopped smoking, but the toll on her health became apparent when she experienced several falls during performances.
In 2018, Andrade’s friends Gilson and Eliana Peranzzetta arranged for her to move to an artists’ retirement village in Rio de Janeiro, where she spent her remaining days surrounded by her love for music and memories of her illustrious career.
As news of her passing spreads, the jazz community mourns the loss of an extraordinary artist whose legacy will forever echo in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to witness her mesmerizing performances. Though her voice may be stilled, her music and spirit will continue to inspire and bring joy to generations to come. As Andrade once urged her audience, “Be happy, please… be happy.” And we can only hope that she, too, found peace in the melodies that filled her life, as she now leaves behind a legacy that will never fade away.