From Astrud Gilberto's site: "Known as 'The Girl from Ipanema' and often referred to as 'The Queen of Bossa Nova' (Gilberto) is an artist with roots firmly planted in Brazilian music. Her music has become an interesting combination of the sensual rhythms of Brazil and American Pop and Jazz. Born in the Northeast of Brazil in the state of Bahia, one of three sisters of a German father and a Brazilian mother, Astrud grew up in Rio de Janeiro. She immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s, where she resides since then.

Astrud was first introduced to the world at large in 1964 through 'The Girl From Ipanema,' the Grammy-winning recording with Stan Getz and her then-husband João Gilberto (the father of Bossa Nova)." Since then, she's worked with Chet Baker, Michael Brecker, George Michael, Etienne Daho, and many other artists. In 1992, she received the Latin Jazz USA Award for Lifetime Achievement; In 2002, she was inducted to the International Latin Music Hall of Fame. She was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award by the Latin Recording Academy in 2008.

A 1981 New York Times review asked about her music. "(It's) still very much the same - about 80 percent Brazilian, from the 1960s and 70s. And she is still puzzled by the fact that she is often characterized as a jazz singer. 'What is a jazz singer?' she asks. ''Somebody who improvises? But I don't: I prefer simplicity. I've been told that my phrasing is jazz-influenced. My early albums were recorded for a jazz label, Verve. My first record was with Stan Getz. And I did an album with Gil Evans. So I guess that's where the jazz idea comes from. But I'm not a pure jazz singer.'

Her 1967 tune "Stay," recorded in English, modulates up by a half-step at 1:41 in the midst of a wonderful flute solo; the vocal returns at 1:46. The flute and vocal trade soloist status throughout the balance of the tune.