I feel ever so fortunate to hear Bebel live, since I’ve loved her music for so many years. Bebel Gilberto, whose music hovers the blurred boundaries between bossa nova, salsa, and trance music, has come a long way from her first album. Tanto Tempo came out of nowhere to establish Gilberto as a fresh voice in the global musical culture, with its catchy blend of traditional Brazilian sounds and global dance music.

“I like to sing in English because for me it’s like I’m wearing high heels and lipstick – it’s a different story,” she says. “When I speak in Portuguese, it’s natural. I still think in Portuguese, I dream in Portuguese, but sometimes if I’m writing the song it can come in English. It’s pretty natural for me, I don’t have to make any effort.”

Bebel’s singing is often described as languid, but her speaking voice is more excitable and playful. She shapes her vowels in that beautiful, elongated South American way (“Astrud’s my stepmother, she’s loooovely“).

Three encores after a spectacular performance – And my favorite ‘August day song’