Ren Stewart’s Bossa Americana blends Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and pop, creating a unique musical experience. Compositions in Portuguese pay tribute to Brazilian masters while embracing a Californian perspective. Collaborating with international artists via technology, Ren produces a transcontinental sound that captures emotion, rhythm, and tradition, appealing to both novice and seasoned listeners. Her music embodies the essence of saudade and cross-cultural creativity.
By Melissa Chiaro
Ren Stewart’s music defies distance, showcasing the power of technology in modern musical creation
Ren Stewart’s work showcases the power of technology in modern musical creation, blending Brazilian rhythms with jazz and pop sensibilities. Through her compositions in Portuguese, she pays tribute to iconic Brazilian composers while creating a sound uniquely her own.
From mole recipes to musical inspiration
It’s interesting how a discussion about the ingredients of a mole recipe can spark a deep conversation about the layers of Brazilian music. Singer, songwriter, and pianist Ren Stewart has developed a new approach to Bossa Nova, exploring rhythms, melody, and emotion across cultural boundaries.
Ren explains her connection to Brazilian music:
“When I was a teenager, I heard Jobim’s album ‘The Composer of Desafinado, Plays’, and something awoke in me. I was raised by a Mexican-American mother, so Latin music will always be in my heart, but hearing this somewhat familiar music sung in Portuguese intrigued me.”
Her inspirations include Seu Jorge, Lenine, Caetano Veloso, Astrud Gilberto, Bebel Gilberto, and Charlie Brown Jr., blending the varied styles of Brazil with her Californian perspective.
Music as a layered craft
Like a great mole recipe, Ren Stewart’s music requires patience, timing, and collaboration. Her song Face the Day was discovered by the executive producers of NBC’s hit series Life, who added it to their soundtrack, demonstrating her synchronization of layered rhythms.
Ren reflects on her creative philosophy:
“I didn’t want to create music that resembled a novelty, like a T-shirt from the airport that reads ‘Brazil’. The idea is to create music in a way that respects the spirit of Brazilian music while infusing my Californian perspective.“
Ren Stewart’s approach to Bossa Nova blends jazz, pop, and the rich tradition of Brazilian music to create something uniquely her own
Brazilian culture in the US
Ren Stewart’s Bossa Americana blends jazz, pop, and Brazilian tradition to create a sound both familiar and new. Her song Como Eu Vou Voltar exemplifies the emotion of “saudade”, capturing the feelings the night before her first trip to Brazil.
To achieve authenticity, she collaborates with talented Brazilian and American artists:
Rodrigo Spada Bernardo, a Brazilian drummer with experience in popular bands
Sina, a guitarist from Iran and co-founder of Barraca da Bossa, who traveled across South America to master Bossa Nova styles
Their collaboration is facilitated through modern technology, sending music files cross-country via iDisk and using webcams to work together virtually, creating a transcontinental studio experience that is always in tune — não desafinado.
A complete sensory experience
As with any dish made carefully over time, Bossa Americana offers a five-sense musical experience, where each note can be savored like a well-prepared meal.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Bossa Americana?
It is Ren Stewart’s unique musical style blending Brazilian rhythms, jazz, and pop influences.
2. Who inspired Ren Stewart’s music?
She draws inspiration from Jobim, Seu Jorge, Lenine, Caetano Veloso, Astrud Gilberto, Bebel Gilberto, and Charlie Brown Jr.
3. How does Ren collaborate with international artists?
She uses technology like iDisk and webcams for cross-country studio sessions with Brazilian and international musicians.
4. What does “Como Eu Vou Voltar” express?
The song captures the emotion of saudade, the longing felt before her first trip to Brazil.
5. Can Bossa Americana appeal to international listeners?
Yes. Its fusion of Brazilian tradition with jazz and pop makes it accessible and enjoyable to both novice and seasoned listeners.
