Desafinado

Desafinado ("Out of Tune") is a bossa nova standard composed by Antônio Carlos Jobim, with Portuguese lyrics by Newton Mendonça. It was written in 1958 and first recorded by João Gilberto on his landmark album Chega de Saudade. The song became one of the defining works of the bossa nova movement and helped introduce Brazilian music to the world.

Django Reinhardt never recorded Desafinado, as it was composed five years after his death in 1953. Nevertheless, the tune has become a favorite among Gypsy Jazz musicians, who often perform it in acoustic arrangements that blend bossa nova and Manouche Jazz.

Musical character:
Desafinado is a relaxed bossa nova featuring sophisticated jazz harmonies, subtle syncopation, and a lyrical melody. Its elegant chord progression and understated rhythmic feel make it one of the most rewarding standards for both improvisation and accompaniment.

Connection to Manouche jazz:
Although Desafinado is a Brazilian composition rather than a traditional Gypsy Jazz tune, it has become part of the modern Manouche repertoire. Many Gypsy Jazz guitarists enjoy its rich harmonic language, which adapts beautifully to acoustic guitars while preserving the relaxed spirit of bossa nova.

Interesting facts:

• The song was written in 1958 by Antônio Carlos Jobim and lyricist Newton Mendonça.
• The title Desafinado literally means "Out of Tune" in Portuguese.
• The lyrics humorously respond to critics who claimed that early bossa nova singers performed out of tune.
• In 1962, Stan Getz and Charlie Byrd recorded an instrumental version that became an international jazz hit and played a major role in the worldwide popularity of bossa nova.
• Desafinado has since been recorded by hundreds of artists, including Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Sarah Vaughan, George Benson, and countless jazz and Gypsy Jazz musicians.

Desafinado is one of the masterpieces of Brazilian music. Its sophisticated harmony, unforgettable melody, and timeless elegance have made it a cornerstone of bossa nova, jazz, and the modern Manouche Jazz repertoire.